THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


y 


ME  MOIR 


REV.  DANIEL  HOLBROOK  GILLETTE, 


OF  MOBILE,  ALABAMA. 


BY  HIS   BROTHERS, 


KEV.    W.    B.    GILLETTE,    OP   PISCATAWAY, 


REV.    A.    D.   GILLETTE,    OF    PHILADELPHIA. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

J.  B.  LIPPINCOTT  &  CO.,— FOURTH  AND  RACE  STREETS. 

BAPTIST  PUBLICATlOtt  SOCIETY,  NO.  31  NORTH  SIXTH  ST. 

1846. 


TO  THE 

CHURCHES  AND  KIND   PEOPLE, 
e»  IN 

^'     RAHWAY,  N.  J.;  CHARLOTTSVILLE,  VA.;  MOBILE,  ALA. 

fer  AND 

«  ABOVE   ALL, 

BECAUSE 

NEARER  TO  HIM  THAN  ALL, 

TO  OUR 

^     OFT  STRICKEN  AND  EVER  BELOVED  MOTHER, 

WE 

DEDICATE  THESE   FAINT  OUTLINES 

O  OF 

o 

^  THEIR  YOUTHFUL  BISHOP 

O 

C3  AND 


\3fk 


in 

CM 


UJ 

3 
< 


HER  YOUNGEST  SON. 


PREFACE. 


Dear  Reader, — This  volume  owes  its  origin  to 
the  aflfection  of  three  churches,  very  respectable  for 
numbers,  intelligence,  and  piety,  over  whom,  by  ap- 
pointment of  Christ,  it  was  the  early  lot  of  our  dear 
young  brother  successively,  and  very  successfully,  to 
preside. 

Those  who  knew  him  best,  in  health,  sickness, 
life,  or  even  in  death,  believed  that  his  career,  though 
short,  was  richly  fraught  with  instruction.  His  un- 
common diligence  in  study,  being  almost  a  pastor 
while  but  a  student — his  indomitable  efforts  to  sup- 
port himself  in  college — his  future  rapid  exaltation 
in  and  by  the  public  mind,  from  the  almost  unknown 
novitiate,  in  four  short  years,  to  the  bishopric  of 
churches,  worthy  of  the  most  commanding  talents 
and  experienced  wisdom.  His  almost  unparalleled 
feebleness  and  vexing  bodily  infirmities,  and  yet  his 
continuance,  like  a  fixed  star,  so  long  before  the 
world's  admiring  gaze,  though  failing  bodily,  yet 
growing  in  mental  and  spiritual  splendour,  were  cir- 
cumstances which  his  devoted  people  cherished  too 


VI  PREFACE. 

highly  to  suffer  eclipse  from  their  being  written  only 
on  the  memory  of  a  busy  and  dying  community. 

It  would  have  been  a  privilege  to  the  compilers, 
could  they  have  retired  within  the  sacredness  of 
their  home  circle,  and,  with  their  remnant  family, 
mourned,  in  silence  and  seclusion,  his  early  death 
and  the  death  of  an  elder  brother,  Rev.  Philander 
Dunham  Gillette,  of  Elmira,  New  York,  which 
so  afflictingly  followed.  But  three  highly  influential 
churches,  and  many  thousand  weeping  admirers,  ex- 
tending from  central  New  York  to  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico,  commanded  us,  and  we  could  not  but  en- 
deavour to  obey  their  voice.  We  would  conclude 
in  the  language  of  the  Rev.  A.  Judson,  D.  D.,  in 
reference  to  the  dust  of  his  precious  wife,  Sarah, 
"And  so,  God  willing,  while  [his]  prostrate  form 
reposes  in  death,  and  [his]  sanctified  spirit  enjoys 
sweeter  repose  on  the  bosom  of  Jesus,  let  me  con- 
tinue to  toil  on  all  my  appointed  time  until  my 
change,  too,  shall  come." 


MEMOIRS 


REV.   DANIEL  HOLBROOK  GILLETTE. 
CHAPTER  L 

BIRTH    AND    ANCESTRY. 

Daniel  Hoi.brook  Gillette's  nntive  place  was 
in  the  township  of  Camhridge,  wliich  is  situated 
in  the  south  central  part  of  Washington  count)', 
in  the  state  of  New  York,  about  forty  miles  east 
by  north  of  the  city  of  Albany,  and  thirty-four 
north  of  the  city  of  Troy.  He  was  born  March 
25th,  1813.  His  father's  residence  was  a  most  de- 
lightful spot  in  Nature's  landscape.  It  stood  be- 
tween two  ranges  of  high,  round  hills,  whose  sides 
and  summits  were  covered  with  beech,  birch,  maple, 
and  other  beautiful  forest-trees,  from  amid  the  thick 
foliage  of  which  shot  heavenward  and  high  above 
them  the  spear-like  and  ever  green  white  pine,  as 
useful  to  man  as  it  is  ornamental  to  his  hilly  home. 
Five  beautiful,  small  lakes  or  ponds  of  fresh  water 
lie  along  and  sparkle  in  the  bottom  of  this  valley, 
extending  their  range  to  tlie  distance  of  about  three 
miles  from  their  most  southern  to  their  northern  ex- 
tremity. On  a  rounding  strait  of  land  which  lies 
between  the  two  most  southern  of  these  lovely  natural 


2  MEMOIRS    OF 

reservoirs  of  pure  mountain  springs,  in  whose  bo- 
soms leap  and  gambol  fish  of  various  kinds,  stood 
the  ever,  ever 

"  Dear  to  our  hearts, 
The  home  of  our  childhood." 

Dr.  Fidelio  Buckingham  Gillette,  Daniel's 
father,  was  a  man  of  liberal  education,  and,  by  pro- 
fession, a  physician,  of  respectable  attainments.  His 
skill  in  practice  is  often  the  theme  of  the  few  of  his 
patients  who  survive  him.  They  are  few,  for  they 
belong  to  a  former  generation,  and  will  soon  follow 
him  "the  way  of  all  the  earth." 

Dr.  Gillette  was  the  eldest  son  of  the  Rev. 
Elisha  Gillette,  who  was  a  native  of  Connecti- 
cut, and  for  more  than  sixty  years  witnessed  a  good 
profession,  and  ceased  not  to  teach  and  to  preach 
Jesus  Christ,  and  him  crucified.  He  spent  more 
than  two-thirds  of  his  protracted  and  useful  life  on 
Long  Island;  where,  also,  he  finished  his  course  and 
rested  from  his  labours  in  1820,  aged  eighty-six 
years.  His  venerable  dust  lies  buried  in  a  grave- 
yard near  the  residence  of  his  only  surviving  son, 
the  Hon.  D.  Gano  Gillette,  in  Patchogue,  Suffolk 
county,  Long  Island,  New  York. 

Elisha  Gillette  was  the  son  of  the  Rev.  Wil- 
liam Gillette,  M.  D.,  a  native  of  France,  who  was 
a  Huguenot  and  a  clergyman,  as  well  as  physician. 
When  papal  persecution  burst  out  in  new  fury,  and 
raged  against  this  truly  apostolic  class  of  Christians, 
Dr.  Gillette,  through  the  importunity  of  his  pa- 
tients, and  mainly  on  account  of  his  medical  profes- 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  3 

sion  and  usefulness  to  the  health  of  the  neighbour- 
hood, was  exempted  from  the  doom  of  banishment 
or  death.  In  compliance  with  the  wishes  of  his 
friends,  who,  during  that  period  of  fearful  excitement, 
cared  more  for  the  body  than  the  soul,  he  desisted 
for  a  short  time  from  publicly  preaching  the  gospel. 
But  soon  he  felt  constrained  to  fulfil  his  ordination 
vows;  fidelity  to  his  Master  in  heaven  prevailed 
over  all  temporal  policy:  he  resumed  his  work,  and 
preached  the  gospel  from  house  to  house, while  he  took 
his  rounds  as  a  physician,  and  often  public  assem- 
blies were  addressed  by  him  in  various  neighbour- 
hoods of  his  ride. 

The  infuriated  papal  policemen  and  soldiers  could 
not  withhold  their  displeasure  at  this  religious  free- 
dom which  the  Doctor  enjoyed:  his  property  was 
confiscated,  his  life  in  danger,  and,  while  yet  a  young 
man,  he  was  exiled  from  his  home  in  beloved  France. 
One  lingering  look,  one  heavy  sigh,  and  he  saw  its 
sunny  scenes  no  more.  He  came  to  America;  came, 
as  thousands  of  our  early  settlers  came,  a  pennyless 
stranger,  sufiering  banishment  and  privation  for  con- 
science, and  for  Jesus'  sake.  Soon  after  arriving  he 
settled  in  Connecticut,  and  began  the  practice  of  me- 
dicine, which  he  continued  through  his  long  life. 
By  close  application  and  study  he  early  acquired  the 
use  of  the  English  language,  and  in  it  he  embraced 
frequent  opportunities  for  preaching  the  gospel:  he 
officiated  as  pastor  to  several  congregations  among 
the  colonists  at  Saybrook  and  vicinity. 

It  is  proper  to  state  that  both  of  these  venerable 


4  MEMOIRS    OF 

ancestors  of  Daniel  lived  most  of  their  days  and  died 
in  communion  with  the  Baptist  church;  both,  how 
ever,  observing  "  the  seventh  day  as  the  Sabhath  of 
the  Lord  their  God."  Dr.  \V>r.  Gillette  died  at 
the  advanced  age  of  ninety,  and  lies  buried  in  Lyme, 
Conn. 

Daniel's  paternal  grandmother  was  the  daughter 
of  Lieutenant  Governor  Buckingham  of  Connecticut. 
His  mother  was  a  direct  descendant  of  the  Rev.  Ed- 
mond  Dunham.,  and  Rev.  Jonathan  Dunham  of 
Piscataway,  New  Jersey,  the  former  was  founder  of 
the  Seventh  day  Baptist  Church  in  Piscataway,  and 
the  latter  his  successor,  of  which  church  the  Rev. 
Walter  Bloomfield  Gillette  is  now  pastor. 

Daniel  was  the  tenth  child  of  his  parents,  and  the 
fifth  son — four  of  whom  became  clergymen. — The 
second  son,FiDELio  Buckingham  Gillette,  M.  D., 
was  suddenly  cut  oflf  by  disease;  a  martyr  to  ex- 
posure and  ambition  in  his  profession  in  Schenec- 
tady, N.  Y.,  1S34.  He  bore  his  father's  whole  name 
and  many  of  his  characteristics;  as  well  as  his  profes- 
sion. 

Philandkr  Dunham  Gillette,  the  eldest  of  the 
brothers,  commenced  the  study  of  medicine  with 
his  father,  joined  the  northern  army,  near  the 
close  of  the  last  war,  was  dismissed  on  peace  being 
declared, — went  to  Salem,  New  Jersey,  became  an 
assistant  in  the  academy,  and  a  student  under  its 
preceptor,  the  Rev.  Joseph  Sheppard,  who  also  bap- 
tized him,  and  directed  his  way  into  the  ministry. 
He  studied  theology  under  Dr.  Slaughton  of  Phila- 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE. 


delphia.  In  the  state  of  New  York,  in  Philadelphia, 
and  elsewhere,  he  sustained  the  pastoral  relation  to  se- 
veral highly  respectable  and  influential  churches,  five 
of  which,  by  his  own  self-supported  exertions,  he 
was  the  means  of  raising.  Worn  to  premature  age,  by 
exposure  and  toil,  he  fell  on  sleep,  on  the  2Sth  day 
of  March,  1845,  in  the  village  of  Fairport,  town- 
ship of  Elmira,  Chemung  Co.,  N.  York,  only  six 
weeks  after  his  young  brother,  Daniel,  to  whom 
he  was  much  endeared,  had  preceded  him  into  the 
kingdom  of  their  heavenly  Father. 

Here  we  are  compelled  to  pause  in  our  narra- 
tive, and  give  grief  its  freedom.  Seldom  has  a  task 
more  impressively  solemn  fallen  to  the  lot  of  bio- 
graphers, perhaps  never  one  so  peculiar  as  this.' 
Here  rush  upon  our  minds  the  recollections  of  our 
venerable,  reverend  and  esteemed  ancestors,  who  for 
nearly  two  centuries  have  ceased  not  to  teach  and 
to  preach  in  the  name  of  Jesus;  and^that,  too,  when 
persecution  raged,  because  the  offence  of  the  cross 
had  not  ceased. 

The  recollections  of  departed  excellence  which  have 
been  matured  and  developed,  by  a  long  series  of  years 
is  mingled  with  melancholy  feelings;  and  earlier  be- 
reavements demand  the  tributary  tear.  We  here  in- 
cidentally erect  a  monument  to  age,  to  youth,  to  ge- 
nius, to  usefulness,  and  above  all  to  piety.  Yes,  to  pi- 
ety, which,  alas,  appears  to  us  mortals,  as  if  it  were  too 
prematurely  wrapped  in  the  oblivion  of  the  grave. 

Surely  we  must  pursue  our  mournful  work  with 
trembling  hands  and  bleeding  hearts. 
2* 


6  MEMOIRS  OF 

Experience  has  doubtless  taught  the  reader  that 
the  mind  is  soothed  by  the  communication  of  its 
sorrow,  the  bosom  is  relieved  of  heavy  burdens  by 
telling  the  virtues  of  the  friends  it  mourns;  and  our 
best  feelings  of  heart  are  gratified  with  the  con- 
sciousness that  instead  of  indulging  alone  the  luxury 
of  unavailing  grief,  it  has  done  what  it  could  in  por- 
traying in  lively  colours  for  the  good  of  the  living, 
the  excellence  of  the  l)eloved  and  pious  dead. 

With  mournful  pleasure  we  sketch  the  outlines  of 
him,  whose  life  exhibited  one  of  the  loveliest  and 
most  finished  characters  the  world  ever  saw  in 
youth.  We  do  this,  regretting  that  one  so  ripe  for 
heaven  should  so  soon  be  called  from  needed  useful- 
hess  on  earth  ;  and  that  not  to  abler  hands  had  this 
work  been  committed. 

In  solemn  sadness  we  now  attempt  to  detail  the 
chief  incidents  in  the  brief  and  brilliant  career  ol  our 
youngest  brother  in  the  flesh,  youngest  of  four  in 
the  same  family,  who  were  in  the  work  of  the  mi- 
nistry of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

Our  effort  owes  its  origin  to  one  of  those  mysterious 
providences,  which  seem  sent  upon  the  church  to 
admonish  her  of  the  mortality  of  those  on  whom 
she  is  too  apt  to  depend,  to  whose  abilities  and  mi- 
nistrations she  too  often  looks  for  succour  and  advance- 
ment, to  the  neglect  of  Him  by  whose  might  and 
love  and  Spirit,  she  can  alone  go  on  and  prosper. 

A  life  which  had  been,  though  short,  no  less  in- 
structive than  its  close,  needed  to  be  chronicled,  that 
it  might  be  reviewed  by  his  friends,  and  spread  be- 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  7 

fore  many  who  but  for  this  imperfect  memoir,  would 
remain  ignorant  of  the  early  struggles  against  pover- 
ty, and  need  of  education,  the  work  of  faith  and  la- 
bour of  love,and  unwasting  patience  of  one  of  Christ's 
young  and  valiant  soldiers,  whom  he  has  so  kind- 
ly taken  up  to  an  inheritance  of  the  promises. 

The  bereaved  people  in  Rah  way.  New  Jersey,  Char- 
lotsville,  Va.,  and  Mobile,  Alabama,  required  this  la- 
bour at  our  hands,  and  while  regretting  that  abler 
minds  do  not  perform  the  duty,  we  are  impelled  to 
make  the  attempt,  hoping  at  least  by  this  means, 
to  show  some  of  our  heart-felt  gratitude  to  those  dear 
churches;  and  our  just  appreciation  of  those  many 
personal  friends  of  our  lamented  brother,  who  have 
advised  us  to  the  undertaking. 

The  many  relatives  and  social  circles  by  whom 
our  brother  was  so  much  beloved,  forbid  but  that 
embalmed  in  a  public  form,  should  be  a  life  of  one 
who  while  lovely  and  promising  in  his  relations  to 
them,  was  transcendently  more  so  to  those  among 
whom  he  laboured  and  suffered  and  died. 

It  is  with  sensitive  diffidence  and  sincere  humi- 
lity that  we  beseech  the  blessing  of  God  upon  this 
short-coming  production;  for  to  Him  we  commend 
it,  as  a  work  sacred  to  his  cause,  and  to  the  consi- 
derations of  friendship.  To  those  who  knew  and 
loved  him  it  will  sometimes  recall,  with  indescri- 
bable, and  we  trust  grateful  emotions,  his  image  and 
excellencies.  May  they  all,  by  it,  be  induced  to 
emulate  his  bright  array  of  Christian  virtues,  and  if 
they  are  aspirants  to  the  bright  aims  of  the  Gospel 


o  MEMOIRS  OF 

herald,  may  they  cherish  also  and  largely  possess 
his  ministerial  graces. 

Great  Father  in  heaven,  may  it  indeed  to  the 
candidate  for  pastorship  in  Christ's  church,  be  the 
means  of  encouragement,  instruction,  caution  and 
zeal.  Be  it  so,  and  the  labour  we  have  bestowed  in 
this  way  is  not  in  vain, — no,  verily,  for  then  is  ours 
a  rich  reward,  and  thine  the  glory  and  praise  ever- 
more.    Amen. 


CHAPTER  II. 

CHILDHOOD   AND    YOUTH. 

Daniel's  father  lived  on  a  public  turnpike  near  the 
district  school  house;  blessed  with  maternal  care  and 
affection,  his  youngest  son's  earliest  days  were  spent, 
retired  from  an  observing  world,  and  remote  from 
any  thing  peculiar  that  might  be  expected  to  mark 
his  budding  childhood.  We  do  not  know  that  there 
was  excited,  or  made  to  appear  in  him,  any  remarkable 
degree  of  talent,  or  that  there  was  displayed  by  him 
any  early  genius  beyond  what  intelligent  parents 
and  friends  discover  in  most  of  the  children  who 
are  the  recipients  of  their  instruction  and  love. 

One  child-like  anecdote  we  here  record,  for  it  is 
well  remembered.  When  Daniel  was  between  the 
ages  of  two  and  six  years,  it  was  his  frequent  custom 
to  place  three  chairs  with  their  backs  so  together 
as  to  enclose  the  seat  of  one  on  three  sides,  and 
getting    himself    within    the    enclosure,    standing 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  il 

on  the  seat  of  one,  and  leaning  over  the  tops  of  the 
others,  would  call  us  little  folks  around  him  :  lead 
us  in  song,  and  then  from  his  own  childish  brain, 
preach  to  us,  with  all  the  seeming  gravity  and  ear- 
nestness of  one  who  feels  himself  sent  on  Heaven's 
most  important  errand  to  mankind.  Thus,  as  we 
now  see,  early  presaging  his  future  brief  but  bril- 
liant and  successfully-pursued  calling  in  his  Master's 
vineyard. 

When  Daniel  was  not  yet  seven  years  old  he  ex- 
perienced an  earthly  privation,  which  is  second  in 
degree  only — (the  loss  of  a  mother  being  first)  in  its 
extent,  among  the  calamities  that  can  befall  a  child — 
it  was  the  sudden  decease  of  his  father.  The  ex- 
citing scenes  connected  with  this  bereavement  are 
well  remembered;  also  Daniel's  appearance  on  the 
mournful  occasion.  To  the  conviction  of  all  the 
friends  present,  Daniel  seemed  conscious  of  what 
death  was  beyond  what  is  generally  apparent  in  a  boy 
of  his  years — he  was  sedate  and  quiet,  kept  himself 
much  within  doors,  and  exhibited  in  his  remarks  a 
participation  in  the  solemn  scene,  unusual  even  in 
many  quite  his  seniors  in  age.  Some  whose  tear- 
ful eyes  were  witnesses  of  that  mournful  event,  as 
they  occasionally  meet,  still  speak  of  Daniel's  marked 
conduct  during  the  funeral  service.  He  was  seated 
by  his  stricken  mother's  feet,  on  a  small  stool:  he 
would  frequently  look  up  into  her  grief-smitten  face; 
and  expressing  a  sympathetic  feeling  seem  to  say> 
"  Dear  mother,  I  feel  for  you.  I  know  your  loss  is 
great,  aind  I,  alas,  am  now  your  fatherless  boy.  0  ! 
mother,  who  will  nowbe  our  protector  and  guardian?" 


10  MEMOIRS  OF 

Though  Daniel  was  then  too  young  to  appreciate 
a  father's  worth,  yet  he  felt  the  stroke  that  cut  that 
father  down,in  his  manhood's  prime,  and  he  pondered 
it  deeply  in  his  heart,  and  the  impressions  it  made 
upon  his  youthful  mind  were  lasting. 

There  was  at  this  early  age  something  remarkably 
amiable  and  winning  in  Daniel's  manner;  which, 
combined  with  his  gentle  and  frail  form,  and  espe- 
cially his  fatherless  situation,  gained  for  him  the  es- 
teem of  all  who  knew  him,  and  he  was  spoken  of  by 
parents  to  their  children  as  the  "good  little  boy." 

Well  would  it  be  if  parents  were  more  generally 
in  the  habit  of  cultivating  and  encouraging  in  their 
children,  the  graces  of  a  meek  and  quiet  spirit:  these 
are  far  more  valuable,  than  the  rare  but  often  sought 
qualities  of  a  prematurely  developed  mind.  Talents 
too  much  desired  by  ambitious  parents  in  their  off- 
spring, if  unadorned  with  real  excellencies  of  heart, 
are  liable  to  render  the  idols  of  their  education  the 
ministers  of  anguish  to  themselves  and  irreparable 
mischief  to  mankind. 

About  this  time,  Daniel  was  taken  by  his  eldest 
living  sister,  who,  though  several  years  married, 
had  but  one  child,  a  daughter,  six  years  Daniel's 
junior.  This  beloved  sister,  Mrs.  Emeline  Taft,  be. 
came  as  a  mother,  and  her  husband  as  a  father  to 
their  adopted  brother  and  son.  Daniel  seemed  to 
know  no  difference  in  their  relations  to  himself,  than 
those  existing  between  them  and  their  only  child. 

This  sister  reared  Daniel  carefully:  being  educated 
herself,  she  took  early,  and  unwearied  pains,  to  en- 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  1 1 

grave  upon  his  young  mind  and  heart,  the  lessons  of 
morality,  intelligence,  and  religious  truth.  Indeed, 
for  several  years,  she  was  his  only  instructer,  and 
her  room  his  only  school — his  little  niece  his  only 
companion  and  associate  in  study — for  soon  after 
Daniel's  union  with  this  little  family,  Mr.  Taft  en- 
gaged in  the  lumber  business,  and  removed  from  the 
pleasant  town  and  society  of  Cambridge,  about  fifty 
miles  north,  where  he  settled,  amid  the  wild  rocks 
and  towering  cliffs,  and  more  than  romantic  scenery 
that  line  the  shores  of  the  far-famed  mountain-en- 
closed and  picturesque  waters  of  Lake  Horicon,  com- 
monly called  Lake  George. 

Daniel's  youthful  days  were  destined  henceforth 
here  in  this  .wild  retired  solitude  to  be  passed — his 
sweet  little  niece,  Cynthia  Maria,  his  only  playmate 
— as  neighbours  were  two  or  more  miles  distant, 
and  a  rude  path  or  dangerous  lake  sail,  in  a  frail 
skiff  or  log  canoe,  was  their  only  meansof  neighbourly 
intercourse. 

In  this  beloved  sister,  now  in  heaven,  was  well 
performed  what  would  have  been,  otherwise,  the 
pleasing  task  of  Daniel's  yet  living  pious  mother — • 
who  in  entirely  and  safely  confiding  the  education 
of  her  youngest  son  to  her  then  eldest  living  daugh- 
ter, was  actuated  by  that  spirit  of  devotion  which  is 
peculiar  to  fond  mothers — the  desire  to  gratify  the 
wish  of  her  daughter,  and  at  any  amount  of  personal 
sacrifice  to  herself,  seek  to  do  the  best  she  could  by 
her  son. 

In    this    wild    but    lovely   region,   of  their  new 


12  MEMOIR!  OF 

home,  there  was  much  to  inspirit  and  animate  an 
ardent-minded  and  guileless  boy.  Here  he  was,  where 
nature  revelled  almost  undisturbed  by  man — wolves, 
deer,  and  other  wild  game,  roamed  free  upon  the 
mountains;  fish  of  rare  beauty,  and  epicurean  excel- 
lence, leaped  and  abounded  in  the  pure  waters  of  the 
lake— which  washed  by  its  limpid  waves  three  sides 
of  the  little  grass-carpeted  peninsula,  in  the  centre 
of  which  stood  the  humble  log-built  dwelling  of  this 
happy  family.  Three  hundred  and  sixty-five  islands, 
covered  during  summer  and  autumn  with  beautiful 
green — surrounded  bj'  jutting  rocks — dot  and  adorn 
the  surface  of  this  mountain  lakelet.  Several  of 
these  islands  are  included  in  the  scene  which  the 
eye  encircles,  as  it  looks  from  Mr.  Taft's  house  out 
on  the  billowy  bosom  of  the  deep,  and  thereby  unite 
in  composing  an  unrivalled  landscape  and  lake 
view.  On  this  scene,  with  early  e3'es  and  a  suscep- 
tible heart,  this  dear  boy  was  wont  to  look,  with 
wrapped  and  profitable  emotions. 

One  of  these  islands  now  bears  the  name  of  this 
boy,  and  we  trust  it  will  in  all  coming  time. 

The  occasion  of  its  receiving  such  a  designation,  was 
as  follows.  Daniel  and  his  little  niece,  as  they  were 
accustomed — took  a  sail  upon  the  treacherous  lake 
one  da}',  and  landed  on  this  island:  it^  being  his  first 
arrival  there,  he  took  formal  possession  of  it  in  his 
own  family  name  Gillette,  after  the  manner  in 
which  he  had  seen  Columbus  represented  in  en- 
gravings taking  possession  of  this  new  world.  As 
he  had   no   standard  with   him   to   re.'xr,  oi-  cross  to 


REV,  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  13 

plant,  he  clambered  up  one  of  the  tallest  trees,  and 
high  on  the  bark  of  its  trunk,  inscribed  his  name 
and  the  date  of  the  event.  To  these  lovely  earth 
spots,  green  in  the  midst  of  wildly  dashing  waters—' 
Daniel  and  his  little  niece  often  paddled  their  light 
canoe;  nor  was  it  an  unusual  thing,  for  their  sister 
mother,  to  share  their  billowy  voyage,  and  lovely 
lake-life  pastime. 

It  was  doubtless  while  these  rude  and  soft  scenes 
of  nature's  untamed  loveliness  were  being  impressed 
upon  our  young  brother's  heart  and  mind,  that  the 
peculiarly  mild  and  yet  enthusiastic  temperament  of 
his  manhood's  character  was  contracted  and  formed. 
These  scenes  contributed  essentially  to  the  web  and 
woof  of  his  matured  excellence:  after  years  showed 
with  vividness  and  power  that  he  received  and 
blended  in  his  vety  being  these  soft,  bold,  and  spi- 
rited associations. 

During  this  happy  spring-tide  of  life,  manhood 
was  drawing  nigh,  and  sterner  considerations  than 
he  was  accustomed  to  indulge  in,  began  to  press 
themselves  upon  Daniel's  mind. 

In  this  remote  mountain  settlement  religious  pri- 
vileges were  very  few  and  far  between.  Clergymen, 
however,  did  from  a  distance  seek  out  and  visit  this 
retired  region,  and  to  the  simple-minded  inhabitants 
in  their  log  cabins,  and  under  the  shade  of  their 
wild  native  trees,  preach  the  glorious  gospel  of  the 
blessed  God.  At  Mr.  Taft's  rude  but  comfortable 
dwelling,  such  usually  found  a  heai'ty  welcome,  and 
a  prophet's  small  room. 


14  MEMOIRS  or 

Their  fare  was  usually  lake  trout,  which  Daniel 
on  such  occasions  would  take  special  pains  to  pro- 
cure, and  Emeline,  his  sister,  equal  pains  frugally  to 
prepare. 

Many  a  man  of  God  has  still  in  recollection  those 
happy  seasons  which  he  spent  with  this  simple- 
minded  and  lovely  family,  nor  do  they  forget  the 
rosy  cheek  flaxen-haired  boy,  whose  expanding 
brow  and  sparkling  eye,  and  unsophisticated  ques- 
tions, bespoke  to  the  observing,  a  sphere  of  future 
usefulness  less  limited  than  the  one  he  so  happily  now 
filled,  amid  the  rude  circle  of  his  there  retired,  iso- 
lated home. 

It  is  to  religious  privileges  such  as  we  have  al- 
luded to,  that  Daniel  refers  in  the  following  letter, 
to  his  brother  A.,  then  Pastor  in  Schenectady. 

"Dresden,  Sept.,  1831. 
"Dear  Brother, 

"Though  cousins  and  others  of  our  relatives  die, 
it  is  my  privilege  to  enjoy  good  health.  I  yet  live 
on  the  shore  of  the  beautiful  Lake  Horicon,and  shall 
be  likely  to  remain  here  some  time  to  come,  but  my 
mind  is  made  up,  to  leave  ultimately.  This  is  a 
very  healthy  place,  but  vve  have  few  religious  meet- 
ings, and  but  poor  schools,  and  they  are  kept  open 
only  a  part  of  the  year. 

"In  Hague,  opposite  to  this  place,  the  Rev.  John 
Barker  is  settled,  as  pastor  of  a  small  Baptist  church. 
He  preaches  frequently  in  this  neglected  region,  and  is 
settled  in  what  has  been  a  very  wicked  place,  but  some 
have  reformed.  In  August  last  he  held  a  general 
meeting,  and  about  sixteen  liave  lately  been  hope- 


RliV.  D.  H.   GILLETrE.  15 

fully  converted,  thirteen  of  whom  were  recently  bap- 
tized— one  was  a  striking  case:  an  old  man  who  had 
lived  in  sin  eighty-five  yearsrhewas  led  down  into  the 
water  meekly  as  a  child,  and  received  the  ordinance. 

0  may  my  preserver  not  let  me  live  so  long  in  such 
a  way.     May  I,  while  young,  become  a  Christian.'- 

"Dear  brother,  you  wrote  me  a  fine  letter:  I  re- 
ceived it  thankfully,  as  from  one  who  1  knew  was 
my  friend.  I  liked  the  advice  it  conveyed  to  me 
very  much.  I  do  wish  I  could  see  you;  then  I 
would  tell  you  more  than  I  can  now  write.  I  intend 
to  visit  mother  this  fall,  and  if  I  am  not  too 
much   hurried,   I  will   visit  you.      0    how   happy 

1  should  be  to  do  so.  0  if  I  could  once  see  all  of 
my  brothers  and  sisters. 

"Receive  this  as  from  the  hands  of  your  own  bro- 
ther, J).  H.  Gillette." 

Truth  preached  to  the  inhabitants  of  this  roman- 
tic and  picturesque  region,  had  its  desired  effect. 
This  whole  family  were  pricked  in  the  heart,  be- 
lieved, and  were  baptized  in  the  translucent  lake 
near  by  their  own  dwelling.  Nor  was  our  young 
brother  a  mere  formal  participant  in  these  stirring 
scenes. 

Owing  to  the  want  of  the  privileges,  of  which 
he  speaks  in  the  letter — Daniel  left  home  and  at- 
tended school  in  the  village  of  Hague,  which  lies 
on  the  west  shore  of  the  lake,  and  though  several 
miles  towards  Ticonderoga,  distant  from  Mr.  Taft's 
residence,   can    plainly   be    seen    from    that  place. 


16  MEMUIRS  OF 

What  were  the  advantages  which  this  school  afforded 
for  intellectual  culture  we  are  not  minutely  informed. 
Yet  from  its  isolated  position  and  limited  population, 
and  they  mostly  compelled  to  live  by  rough  hard  la- 
bour, in  getting  pine  and  other  timber  from  the  rug- 
ged mountains,  it  is  not  probable  that  education  could 
there  be  extensively  pursued, 

Daniel  carried  serious  feelings  with  him  to  this 
place,  which,  as  is  proved  in  his  history,  were  of  much 
value  and  a  sure  support  in  the  hours  of  trial  which 
so  early  came  upon  our  young  soldier  of  the  cross. 
He  writes, 

"  Hague,  Warren  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Jan.,  1833. 
"Dear  Brother, 

"lam  attending  school  in  this  place.  I  make  my 
home  at  the  house  of  the  Rev.  John  Barker.  My  pri- 
vileges are  considerable  in  school  and  church. — The 
rich  displays  of  God's  tender  mercies  have  caused 
me  to  take  a  bold  stand  in  the  cause  of  Christ. 

"On  the  fourth  day  of  last  December,  I  was  united 
to  the  church,  by  following  thd  footsteps  of  my  Lord 
into  the  watery  grave. — I  aim  now  to  do  nothing  but 
my  Father's  will;  I  feel  his  love.  It  is  my  duty  to 
work  while  the  day  lasts.  The  harvest  truly  is  great, 
and  the  labourers  are  few.  If  I  am  a  chosen  vessel 
of  the  Lord,  I  am  willing  to  serve  him,  as  I  may  be 
able.  I  heard  that  you  were  desirous  for  me  to  get 
a  liberal  education,  and  would  willingly  help  me  to  it. 
I  am  willing  to  receive  help  from  any  person,  should  I 
need  it,  but  1  fear  lest  by  the  time  I  have  graduated, — the 
Lord  having  kindled  a  fire  of  love  in  my  heart,  it 
would  go  out,  and  I  should  be  like  a  stick  of  wood, 


HEV.  D.  H.  GlLLETtE.  17 

covered  with  ice  and  snow. — May  the  Lord  take 
charge  of  my  mind,  and  keep  it,  for  I  am  young,  and 
my  heart  is 

'Prone  to  v/ander  from  the  Lord  I  love.' 

"  You  seem  nearer  to  me  than  any  others  of  my 
relations,  and  are  many  miles  nearer  than  any  of  my 
other  brothers.  I  say  therefore  lo  you,  that  in  the 
spring  I  shall  go  from  these  parts,  to  some  place  where 
lean  prosecute  necessary  learning.  If  you  can  suggest 
any  plan,  do  Write  me  v/ord.  I  long  to  enter  the 
Lord's  service,  and  exhort  sinners  to  flee  from  the 
wrath  to  come,  and  Seek  the  salvation  of  their  souls. 

"The  Lord  has  worked  mightily  in  Dresden  re- 
cently: about  sixty  have  been  brought  to  the  acknow- 
ledgment of  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Christ. — Brother 
Taft  and  sister  Emeline  think  they  have  found  out 
the  way  of  life  and  salvation. 

"Your  affectionate  brother,  ^ 

D.  H.  Gillette." 

The  above  Is  the  only  record  which  we  have  been 
able  to  find  of  our  young  brother's  first  love  and 
early  consecration  of  himself  to  the  service  of  his  Re- 
deemer. While  it  would  gratify  us  to  peruse  the  un- 
varnished account  that  an  unsophisticated  boy,  brought 
up  amid  such  wild  associations,  might  make  of  his 
first  impression  of  Divine  truth,  convictions  of  sin, 
and  views  of  hope,  joya  of  pardon  and  ecstasy  of 
sonship  in  the  family  of  the  redeemed,  yet  we  can- 
not partake  the  joy:  for  most  of  his  early  writings 
were  destroyed. 

But  that  self'denying  man  of  God  whose  pious 
3* 


18  MEMOIRS  OF 

labours  were  so  abundantly  blessed  in  this  region,  and 
who  was  mainly  instrumental  in  the  conversion  of 
ouryoungbrother,  andof  whom  such  kind  mention  is 
made  in  a  former  letter,  has  nearly  supplied  the  de- 
ficiency in  the  following  letter. 

"  Chester,  Warren  Co.,  N.  Y.,  August,  1845. 
"Dear  Brother  Gillette, 

"Your  friendly  letter  came  to  hand  yesterday — I 
find  by  its  contents  the  confirmation  of  a  report 
which  1  was  hoping  might  prove  untrue.  But,  alas, 
it  is  confirmed.  D.  H.  Gillette, — a  name  ever 
dear  and  sacred  to  the  memory  of  all  who  knew 
him  here, — has  passed  into  the  eternal  world. 

"  Dear  departed  brother,  could  thy  sainted  spirit  de- 
scend to  earth,  and  mingle  with  thy  loved  ones  here, 
how  sweet  and  interesting  would  be  the  precious  mo- 
ments, thus  enjoyed.  0  couldst  thou  speak  and  tell 
of  thy  present  enjoyments,  thy  rapture  and  bliss,  it 
might  sooth  every  sorrow  and  dry  every  tear?  But 
why  indulge  these  reflections?  it  is  enough  for  us  to 
remember  that 

'  Once  thou  wert  a  mourner  here  below, 
And  wet  thy  couch  with  tears.' 

"Now  thou  are  absent  from  the  body,  and  present 
with  the  Lord — where  pains  and  cares,  sickness  and 
languor  shall  no  more  afflict  thee;  though  removed 
from  us,  thou  art  removed  to  a  better  society,  and 
fairer  scenes,  though  severed  for  a  time  from  all  the 
better  ones  of  earth,  yet  dearer  ones,  and  friends 
better  far  are  thine.  Thou  art  present  with  the  Lord. 
Consoling  thought.     It  is  thine  now  to 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  19 

.    'Sound  his  praise  in  strains, 
To  mortal  ears  unknown.' 

"To  enjoy  the  infinite  riches  of  his  boundless  love. 
Fain  would  we  have  had  thee  continue  a  little  longer 
here !  but  why  continue  ?  What  is  taken  from  thy  short 
period  of  time  is  added  to  thy  eternity.  We  saw  thee 
here  forming  plans  for  the  voyage,  but  the  blessed 
Pilot  took  thee  almost  direct  to  the  desired  harbour. 

"Thou  wast  expecting  to  enjoy  a  few  more  days 
with  beloved  friends  below,  but  Christ  has  taken  thee 
to  join  with  nobler  friends*  above. 

"Farewell,  brother — may  it  be  our  happiness  ere 
lorfg  to  be  with  thee.  We  leave  thy  precious  remains, 
with  thy  loved  infant  son  by  thy  side  until  the  re- 
surrection morn — inscribing  on  thy  tomb  a  memorial 
of  the  faithfulness  of  God. 

"Dear  brother,  it  is  with  peculiar  pleasure  that  I 
give  you  such  facts  as  remain  in  my  recollection,  con- 
cerning the  early  religious  history  of  your  much  es- 
teemed and  deeply  lamented  brother.  I  am  glad  that 
you  ask  for  facts  only,  8ome  interesting  and  impor- 
tant ones  1  think  I  can  give  you. 

"In  detailing  the  following  circumstances,  I  shall  be 
obliged  to  blend  a  part  of  my  own  ministerial  his- 
tory. 

"In  the  fall  of  1831,1  was  called  by  the  people  of 
Hague  to  labour  with  them  in  the  gospel.  It  was 
with  some  difficulty  that  I  could  decide  whether  it 
was  duty  to  go.  There  were  only  four  or  five  Bap- 
tists in  the  place.  Not  until  after  several  solicitations 
and  making  it  a  subject  of  prayer,  did  I  resolve  to  go. 


20  MEMOIRS  OF 

I  left  Dresden  in  June,  1832,  and  began  my  labours 
for  undying  souls  in  Hague  immediately.  Little 
evident  success  followed  until  the  next  September, 
when  a  very  interestingrevival  of  religion  commenced, 
continuing  more  than  ten  months." 

It  was  a  powerful  display  of  God's  rich  and  match- 
less grace: — we  hope  in  charity,  that  more  than  sixty 
were  the  fruits  of  the  word  and  the  Spirit  employed 
and  applied  on  that  occasion— embracing  converts 
from  the  age  of  eight3''-six  years  down  to  twelve. 

Among  this  happy  throng  we  recognised  with  de- 
vout gratitude  to  Almighty  God  your  brother  Da- 
niel, the  circumstances  of  whose  conversion  were  as 
follow  : — 

During  most  of  the  season  past,  he  had  been  a  con- 
stant attendant  on  worship  among  us,  and  evinced 
seriousness  much  of  the  time,  his  conviction  of  sin 
seemed  to  increase  every  time  he  heard  a  gospel 
sermon;  but  these  impressions  and  convictions  were 
not  very  pungent,  until  that  remarkable  evening,  to 
which  he  refers  as  the  time  when  he  was  brought  to 
hope  in  the  pardoning  mercy  and  sanctifying  grace 
of  his  Lord  and  Saviour.  This  was  a  meeting 
of  deep  interest.  I  appointed  it  in  the  neighbour- 
hood where  your  brother  resided;  it  was  well  attend- 
ed— composed  principally  of  young  converts  and 
weeping  inquirers.  After  talking  about  thirty  mi- 
nutes from  that  interesting  passage  of  Scripture, 
'-Sirs,  we  would  see  Jesus,"  liberty  was  given  for 
any  to  express  their  wishes  and  feelings.  Your  bro- 
ther immediately  arose,  and  spake  as  follows,  as  near 
as  my  recollection  serves  me. 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  21 

"  I  feel  truly  awful !  I  see  myself  a  poor  self-con- 
demned, and  God-condemned  sinner.  I  know  I 
justly  deserve  to  be  banished  from  his  presence  and 
the  glory  of  his  power.  But,  as  I  have  just  heard, 
that  in  Jesus'  arms  there  is  room  to  him,  I  am  re- 
solved to  go;  if  I  perish,  I  will  perish  at  Jesus'  feet, 
breathing  out  there  expressions  of  penitential  sor- 
row." 

He  requested  prayer  to  be  made  on  his  behalf 
from  all  that  were  in  the  room ;  and  it  seemed  to 
me  that  if  there  were  any  present  who  had  never 
prayed  before,  that  they  would  pray  now; — and  I  be- 
lieve I  was  not  mistaken,  the  whole  house  appeared 
to  be  filled  with  the  breath  of  prayer,  and  the  peni- 
tent groaning  out  for  pardon.  Saints  were  wrestling 
with  God  for  their  deliverance.  Three  professed  to 
have  found  mercy  in  God's  sight  that  evening,  and 
your  brother  Daniel  was  the  first  that  manifested  it. 
He  did  so  by  saying,  "  I  feel  that  the  burden  of  my 
guilt  is  gone,  that  my  sins  are  pardoned,  that  God  is 
my  father,  death  my  friend,  and  heaven  my  home." 

A  holy  calmness  seemed  to  come  and  rest  upon 
his  soul,  like  to  what  David  felt,  when  he  said 
"Thou  wast  angry  with  me,  0  Lord;  but  thine  an- 
ger is  turned  away  from  me,  and  thou  comfortest  me." 

None  knowing  Daniel,  questioned  the  genuine- 
ness of  his  change,  for  from  this  time,  as  long  as 
he  remained  in  the  vicinity,  he  evinced  an  evident 
desire  to  glorify  God — he  truly  walked  in  the  strait 
and  narrow  way  of  holy  obedience.  He  was  evi- 
dently possessed  of  that  principle,  which  is  ever 
found  in  the  subjects  of  divine  grace.     His  language 


22  MEMOIRS  OF 

was,  "  0  taste  and  see,  that  the  Lord  is  good;  blessed 
is  the  man  that  trusteth  in  him." 

His  warning  voice  was  heard  in  the  conference 
room,  his  prayers  and  praises  going  up  from  the 
prayer  circle — his  daily  walk  and  conversation  gave 
the  clearest  proof,  that  he  was  honest  in  the  sacred 
cause.  He  was  very  anxious  to  know  his  whole 
duty,  and  ever  showed  a  disposition  to  do  it. 

I  well  recollect  his  coming  to  me,  and  desiring 
that  I  would  give  him  some  instruction  on  the  sub- 
ject of  Christian  baptism  and  communion.  I  in- 
quired, if  he  could  not  satisfy  himself  on  these  doc- 
trines from  the  word  of  God.  He  said  he  supposed 
it  was  there,  but  I  could  explain  to  him  more  fully 
than  it  was  therein  expressed.  I  remarked,  that  it 
was  not  in  the  power  of  mortals  to  make  it  more 
plain  and  easy  to  be  understood  than  it  was  in  the 
volume  of  Divine  inspiration.  He  then  left  me,  and 
I  heard  no  more  of  the  matter  until  after  two  weeks, 
when  he  came  to  our  church  meeting;  and  by  per- 
mission, at  his  own  request,  gave  an  account  of  his 
religious  experience  and  views  of  gospel  doctrines 
and  duties  so  far  as  he  understood  them;  at  the  same 
time  desiring  to  unite  v/ith  the  church.  The  church, 
after  due  deliberation  and  prayer,  being  unanimous 
in  expressing  their  satisfaction,  resolved  to  comply 
with  his  request,  and  after  he  should  be  baptized  re- 
ceive him  as  a  member  for  whom  Christ  died. 

Soon  after  this  /,  though  most  unworthy,  had  the 
unspeakable  privilege  of  leading  this  willing  candi- 
date, down  into  the  silver  waters  of  the  "  Lake  Ho- 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  23 

RicoN,"  where,  on  the  profession  of  his  faith,  and  in 
obedience  to  the  command  of  the  great  Head  of  the 
church,  Jesus  Christ,  I  baptized  him  "  into  the  name 
of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost." 

The  season  was  delightful,  and  the  baptismal  scene 
a  solemn  one — producing  impressions  on  many  hearts 
which  time  can  never  erase.  The  strength  and  in- 
creasing confidence  which  he  obtained  by  professing 
obedience  to  God  in  his  ordinances,  was  surprising, 
and  frequently  he  remarked — "  I  have  greatly  received 
of  the  Lord's  mercy,  and  am  anxious  to  put  it  to  the 
best  of  use."  The  cause  of  the  blessed  Redeemer, 
and  the  condition  of  perishing  souls,  were  the  prin- 
cipal objects  that  courted  and  won  the  affections  of 
his  heart. 

A  few  weeks  after  his  baptism  he  freely  divulged 
to  me  some  of  the  impressions  his  mind  had  received 
in  relation  to  his  future  course  of  life,  saying,  that  he 
felt  willing  to  do  any  thing  whereby  he  could  glo- 
rify God  and  serve  his  generation.  He  thought  it 
would  be  one  of  the  greatest  privileges  he  could  en- 
joy on  earth,  to  be  fitted  for,  and  engaged  in  preach- 
ing to  his  fellow  sinners  that  gospel  which  had  been 
made  to  his  own  soul  the  wisdom  of  God  and  the 
power  of  God  unto  salvation. 

From  his  remarks  to  me,  the  evident  and  constant 
improvement  of  his  talents,  I  was  convinced  that 
his  Divine  Master  was  about  to  make  him  a  chosen 
vessel,  by  putting  him  into  the  ministry.  The  church 
formally  requested  him  to  lead  many  of  their  meet- 
ings, and  so  employ  his  rare  gifts  for  their  edification, 
and  his  own  improvement. 


24  MEMOIRS  OF 

They  requested  Iiim  finally  to  explain  some  portion 
of  scripture,  which  he  might  select:  he  seemed  willing 
to  he  the  servant  of  the  church,  though  it  was  with 
much  diffidence  that  he  complied  with  their  request. 
But  in  his  first  eti'ort  of  the  kind  he  far  exceeded  our 
expectation.  He  read  these  words: 
"God  is  Love." 

I  wish  I  could  give  you  a  specimen  of  this  his  first 
formal  public  address.  You  must  know,  my  brother, 
that  a  heart  overflowing  with  the  love  of  God,  must 
be  prepared  in  some  degree  to  expatiate  on  that  love. 
From  this  time,  by  advice  of  the  church,  he  held 
meetings  in  school-houses  and  private  dwellings,  at 
the  request  of  people  in  destitute  neighbourlioods — • 
to  the  evident  satisfaction  of  his  auditors,  and  the 
gradual  increase  of  his  own  understanding  and  prac- 
tice in  doctrines  pertaining  to  that  great  work  for 
which  he  afterwards  became  so  eminently  qualified. 

Soon  he  left  his  residence  in  Dresden  and  came 
and  spent  the  winter  in  my  family,  and  attended 
school.  His  mind  was  evidently  as  much  upon  his 
Bible  as  upon  his  mathematics  and  other  studies. 
His  great  aim  seemed  to  be  to  discipline  his  mind  and 
heart  with  the  rich  truths  of  God's  word  and  useful 
learning.  Had  the  advantages  been  suitable  in  our 
school,  it  would  have  been  a  great  favour  to  have  re- 
tained him  in  our  family.  I  can  truly  assure  you  that 
he  was  a  peculiar  favourite  with  us  all.  I  knew 
however,  that  his  own  improvement  and  the  cause  of 
truth,  required  other  and  superior  opportunities  for 
study  than  our  region  afforded.     Having  been  con- 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  25 

fined  loan  obscure  neighbourhood  on  the  lake  shore, 
where  schools  at  the  best  were  poor,  and  only  con- 
tinued during  winter,  I  felt  it  my  duty  to  advise  him 
to  make  an  effort  to  obtain  a  good  thorough  educa- 
tion. Knowing  that  he  had  three  brothers  already 
in  the  ministr}'-,  one  especially  in  the  town  of  Elmira, 
who  had  much  experience  in  the  cause,  and  a  man  of 
respectable  education,  able  to  counsel  and  instruct  him, 
1  advised  him  to  visit  that  brother,  and  about  this  time 
his  relatives  informed  him  that  it  was  his  brother's 
request  that  he  should  come  and  live  with  him. 

"  In  a  few  days  more  he  took  leave  and  parted  from 
us,  all  of  whose  hearts  were  bound  to  him  by  the 
chords  of  strongest  love. 

"A.h!  little  did  we  think  that  this  separation  would 
be  for  time.  How  true  it  is,  that  there  is  no  place 
of  permanence  or  security  from  disease  and  death  here. 

'  Dangers  stand  thick  through  all  the  ground, 
To  push  us  to  the  tomb.' 

"  1  have  received  his  sermon  printed,  which  1  value 

as  one  of  my  choicest  treasures.     Yours  in  the  bonds 

of  the  gospel, 

John  Barker, 
Pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church,  Chester,  Warren  Co.,  N.Y." 

Of  the  foregoing  scenes  Daniel  briefly  speaks  in 
the  next  letter — and  informs  us  that  his  mind  was 
quite  decided  as  to  future  duty.  We  think  there  is 
a  sincerity  and  simplicity  in  his  first  epistles,  entitling 
them  to  a  place  in  these  pages. 

"  Dresden,  March,  1833. 
"Beloved  Brother  Abraham, 

"When  you  present  yourself  in  prayer,  remember 


26  AlEAIOIRS  OF 

your  unworthy  brother,  who  now  informs  you  of  his 
health  and  other  mercies. 

"  I  have  some  privileges  in  common  with  good 
people  at  large.  I  enjoy  secret  devotion,  I  ask  the 
Lord  for  grace,  pardon,  and  sanctification. 

*•'  Jehovah  is  spreading  his  empire  in  these  parts, 
his  heritage  is  growing  greatly,  the  Spirit  revives  us. 
I  trust  that  not  long  since  God  for  Christ's  sake  par- 
doned my  sins.  Yes,  he  has  been  mindful  of  me 
in  his  mercy,  and  now  I  extol  him  as  mine  above  all 
others.  I  hope  to  be  directed  by  that  power  which 
kills  all  sin.  I  feel  it  my  duty  to  try  and  get  ready 
to  publish  the  gospel.  This  impression  finds  increas- 
ing place  in  my  bosom.  I  believe  it  is  forced  to  my 
heart  by  the  power  of  God.  I  realize  in  some  de- 
gree the  worth  of  souls:  this  increases  my  impressions 
of  duty — my  salvation  cost  no  less  than  the  blood 
of  Jesus  Christ,  the  Son  of  God:  'knowing  therefore 
the  terror  of  the  Lord,  we  persuade  men.'  En- 
listed for  Christ's  cause,  may  1  study  and  pray,  and 
watch  and  be  sober. 

"I  intend  to  leave  liere  next  spring.  Mr.  Taft,  who 
has  been  my  father  for  several  years,  is  willing,  and 
promises  to  help  me.  It  will  be  affecting  for  me  to 
leave  this  people,  and  place  of  my  residence.  Pray 
for  me  that  I  may  have  a  parting  blessing  from  the 
Fountain  of  all  holiness.  I  have  no  righteousness  that 
I  would  dare  to  mention  in  commending  myself  to 
God. 

"Last  Lord's  day  1  attended  a  meeting  in  this 
town.    Rev.  John  Barker  preached  fron»  Matt.  xii.  2 1 : 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  27 

*And  in  his  name  shall  the  Gentiles  trust.'     I  trust 

none  other. 

'None  but  Jesus,  none  but  Jesus, 
Can  do  helpless  sinners  good.' 

"I  am  but  a  youth,  but  youth  is  the  time  to  serve 
the  Lord.  If  I  live  to  be  old,  all  along  life's  way 
may  the  prayers  of  God's  people  ascend  for  me, 
that  I  may  be  useful  in  getting  glory  to  his  name, 
by  being  instrumental  in  the  salvation  of  sinners. 
And  now, 

'May  I  govern  ray  passions  with  absolute  sway, 
And  grow  wiser  and  better  as  life  passes  away.' 

"  1  leave  you  in  the  hand  of  the  Lord, — may  he 
prosper  j'^ou  for  ever.     This  from  your  brother,  • 

D.  H.  Gillette." 


CHAPTER  in. 

VISITS   CAMBRIDGE,  SCHENECTABA,  AND   ELMIRA. 

From  the  foregoing  it  is  evident  that  Daniel's  quick 
perceptions  had  acquired  all  that  the  schools  in  this 
region  could  impart.  Religion,  also,  had  given  addi- 
tional elasticity  to  his  mind;  his  heart  thirsted  for  more 
of  that  knowledge  which  is  desirable,  useful,  and  good. 
He  felt  the  love  of  Christ  constraining  him;  he  read 
of  millions  perishing  for  lack  of  knowledge,  for  lack 
of  Heaven's  bread.  But  how  to  leave  that  sister 
who  had  been  all  a  mother  could  desire  her  to  be; 
how  to  leave  that  sweet  little  niece,  and  all  that  was 
here  associated  in  his  earh''  feelings.  Chords  bound 
him  to  his  wild  home,  and  none  can  wonder  that  his 


28  MEMOIRS  OF 

fond  young  heart  lingered;  blame  we  him?  the  true, 
the  sincere,  the  good,  the  lovely  I  am  sure  will  not. 
One  desperate  struggle  with  nature's  first  and  holiest 
impulses,  and  he  leaped  all  these  barriers — his  spirit, 
freed  by  the  gospel  of  Christ,  sought  greater  quali- 
fications for  doing  his  Master's  work.  Feeling,  'wo 
is  me  if  I  preach  not  the  gospel,'  he  delayed  not 
to  begin  the  desired  preparation,  in  gaining  mental 
and  moral  equipment,  for  that  warfare  of  mind  with 
mind  and  heart  with  heart,  which  is  waged  in  order 
that  we  may  gain  some.     We  next  hear  from  him  in 

"  Cambridge,  Washington  Co.,  N.Y.,  May,  1833. 
"Respected  Brother, 

"  I  am  yet  in  the  world.  I  left  Dresden  one  week 
since,  and  am  now  at  our  sisters  Eunice  and  Abigail's. 
— All  are  well.  I  expended  all  the  money  I  had  when 
I  left  Dresden,  two  dollars,  in  getting  myself  and  trunk 
to  this  place.  If  I  could  I  would  come  and  see  you. 
I  have  decent  clothing,  but  no  money.  I  am  now  left 
to  provide  for  myself — may  the  Lord  help  me.  I 
should  like  to  go  to  Philander's  at  Elmira,  but  I  must 
work  two  or  three  months,  and  get  somethingto  assist 
myself  with.  1  feel  greatly  impressed,  that  it  is  my 
duty  to  attend  school — but  poverty  forbids  now. 

"  Write  soon.     If  1  see  you  not  before,  when  I  get 

funds  enough  to  carry  me,  I  shall  call  and  see  you 

on  mv  way  to  brother. 

D.  H.  Gillette." 

Jehovah  often  prepares  our  vvay  before  us, by  means 
not  always  siicli  an  make  it  the  smoothest  and  fairest 
to  M5  in  life,  but  evidently  in  a  manner  best  adapted 


REV.  V<.  H.  GILLETTE.  29 

to  our  good.  As  we  have  shown,  our  brother's  chief 
regret  at  leaving  Lake  Horicon's  shores,  was,  that  he 
left  there  his  ever  beloved  sister.  God  soon  took  that 
attraction  to  himself  By  death  was  this  main  bond 
severed.  May  we  not  hope  that  their  reunion  in 
glory  was  as  rapturous,  as  their  parting  on  earth 
was  painful  ? 

Of  this  melancholy  occurrence,  so  regarded  indeed 
by  all  who  knew  this  lovely  woman,  he  speaks: 

"  Cambridge,  August,  1833. 
"Dear  Brother  Abraham, 

"I  was  calculating  to  see  you  here  to-day,  but 
am  disappointed.  I  have  sad  news  to  send  you.  I 
relate  it  with  a  mournful  heart.  Sister  Emeline  was 
taken  ill  the  fifteenth  of  July,  and  agreeably  to  the 
will  of  God  she  resigned  her  breath  on  the  twentieth 
— she  is  now  gone — gone  to  try  the  realities  of  eter- 
nity.    God  has  taken  but  his  own. 

"  I  visited  the  place  she  has  left.  The  twenty- 
seventh  was  a  time  of  mourning,  my  best  friend 
upon  earth  is  now  gone  to  return  here  no  more. 
We  may  have  great  comfort  in  the  death  of  sister:  I 
believe  she  has  gone  to  heaven,  to  live  for  ever  with 
her  Maker  and  Lord.  Brother,  may  this  be  an  awaken- 
ing event  to  us.  Mourn  with  me.  We  have  lost  a 
good  sister, — a  kind  friend.  Come  and  see  me  soon. 
I  am  almost  worn  out  with  hard  work.  When  my 
time  is  out  in  harvesting,  I  shall  go  somewhere  to 
school.     Yours,  affectionately,  • 

D.  H.  Gillette." 

Daniel  having  visited  his  friends  in  his  native  re- 
gion, worked  through  the  busy  time  of  harvest,  and 

4*  ' 


30  u^MoiRs  Of 

linving  thereby  replenished  his  empty  purse  with 
sufScieDt  funds  to  warrant  the  undertaking — he  bid 
them  all  adieu,  and  turned  his  face  toward  the  vil- 
lage of  Elmira,  where  his  eldest  brother  Philander 
resided — being  Pastor  of  the  Baptist  church,  which 
he  had  been  instrumental  in  raising  in  that  town. 
On  his  way  he  spent  a  few  weeks  in  the  city  of 
Schenectada,  with  his  brother  Abraham,  who  was 
Pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in  that  city — and  his  bro- 
ther Fidelio,  who  was  a  practising  physician  there. 
On  this  memorable  visit  Daniel  with  his  afflicted  re- 
latives was  called  to  witness,  instead  of  joy  in  social 
intercourse,  the  yiolent  illness  and  lamented  decease  of 
bis  brother,  the  Doctor.  From  the  enjoyment  of  per- 
fect health,  this  rising  yaung  physician  was  cut  downy 
in  the  midst  of  hope  and  usefulness,  by  a  disease  which 
he  contracted  in  self-sacrificing  devotion  to  one  of 
his  surviving  patients.     How  true  it  is, 

"  We  should  suspect  some  sorrow  nigh, 
Where  we  expect  delight." 

Concerning  Daniel  in  this  his  second  trial  under 
the  bereavement  of  the  affections,  after  only  a  few 
months'  Christian  experience, an  accomplished  corre- 
pondent,  then  connected  with  a  large  Female  Semi- 
nary at  Schenectiida,  and  now  similarly  occupied  with 
a  larger  one  in  Utica,  New  York,  writes, 

♦'March  14,  1845. 

"  Mt  Dear  Friend, — I  have  learned  that  your 
brother  Daniel  fs  no  more.  How  mysterious  are 
the  ways  of  Providence;  when  those  on  the  walls  of 
Zion  are  cut  down  in  the  midst  of  usefulness.  I  well 
know  jrtjur  deep  feeling' on  this  mournful  occasion. 


REV.  D.  H.  OILLETtfi*  31 

He  had  been  the  recipient  of  your  care  and  kindness, 
in  such  a  manner  as  to  strengthen  the  chord  of  bro- 
therly affection.  Well  do  I  remember  his  first  visit 
to  Schenectada,  and  the  current  of  religious  feeling 
manifested  both  in  his  ordinary  deportment,  and  his 
fervency  in  prayer.  Surely  you  have  the  consolation 
of  knowing,  that  he  was  prepared  for  a  better  world, 
where  may  Heaven  permit  us  all  once  more  to  as- 
semble.    Your  sympathizing  friend, 

Cynthia  Shelden." 

After  this  painful  separation  by  death,  from  a  fond 
and  gifted  brother, — a  brother  now  with  him  in  glory 
— ^Daniel  took  leave  of  living  friends — not  a  few  of 
whom  had  learned  really  to  love  him — and  journeyed 
to  Elmira,  where  he  became  an  inmate  of  the  family 
of  his  eldest  brother.  H 

Here  enjoying  increased  advantages  for  study  in 
the  academy,  by  diligent  attention  he  gained  rapidly 
in  knowledge,  and  by  exhortation  and  prayer  in  the 
meetings  which  he  enjoyed,he  grew  in  gifts  and  graces 
— thus  more  clearly  indicating  his  high  and  holy  de- 
signation as  a  good  minister  of  Jesus  Christ.  Con- 
cerning his  situation  and  employment,  he  writes: 

"Elmira,  November  17,  1833. 

"  Dear  Brother  Abraham, — My  health  is  good. 
My  acquaintance  is  limited  here  as  yet,  but  it  increases 
as  fast  as  I  desire.  I  am  well  pleased  in  all  respects, 
and  with  the  young  people  especially, 

"Brother  Fidelio  attached  many  in  this  place  to  him 
by  his  winning  and  gentle  manners,  who  mourn  his 
early  death.     The  physicians  here  say,  he  bid  fair 


32  MEMOIRS  OF 

for  excellence  in  the  profession — his  short  career  was 
indeed  brilliant  and  promising. 

"I  am  now  studying  in  a  room  in  brother  Philan- 
der's  house.  I  want  to  be  prepared  to  enter  the  In- 
stitution in  January  next.  I  have  many  hours  of  low 
spirits  when  thinking  of  my  temporal  estate — but  by 
patience,  1  await  the  things  which  kind  Providence 
may  bring  forth. 

"  Br.  P.  has  received  a  call  from  Trumansburg 
church:  they  want  him  next  spring,  but  I  do  not  think 
he  will  go.  The  young  ladies'  institute  in  brother's 
house  is  prospering.  Miss  Slater  is  the  efficient  and 
successful  principal — all  join  me  in  affectionate  re- 
membrance.    Yours  truly, 

D.  H.  Gillette." 

While  thi^s  employed  in  study,  he  recited  to  a  gen- 
tleman of  classical  education  who  was  engaged  in 
teaching  a  few  select  scholars  in  the  place,  and  he 
gave  lessons  occasionally  in  the  Female  Seminary, 
which  was  taught  under  his  brother's  roof  Of  the 
numerous  compositions  which  he  prepared,  during 
his  academic  course,  we  present  the  following  as  a 
specimen  of  the  direction  that  piety  had  given  his 
mind. 

"  THE  SERPENT  AND  DOVE. 

"  I  have  supposed  that  the  three  worlds,  heaven, 
earth,  and  hell,  illustrate  the  distribution  of  the  at- 
tributes of  cunning  and  wisdom. 

"  In  heaven,  though  there  is  no  want  of  wisdom, 
still,  as  there  is  no  occasion  to  use  it  as  a  means  of  de- 
fence, there  prevails  the  simplicity  of  the  dove. 

"In  hell  th^re  is  the  serpent  only;  but  on  earth, 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  33 

where  the  partly  sanctified  live,  and  must  be  conver- 
sant with  total  depravity — there  must  be  the  serpent 
and  the  dove  united. 

"  The  serpent  is  said  to  be  wise,  or  rather  cunning; 
perhaps  it  is  so  said  in  reference  to  his  temptation  of 
our  first  parents,  in  the  form  of  a  reptile.  Hence  that 
wandering  spirit  is  styled  the  old  serpent.  He  has 
been  an  atigel  of  light,  and  doubtless  carried  down  to 
the  pit  with  him  that  extensive  knowledge,  which,  in 
the  absence  of  holiness,  must  render  him  eminently 
mischievous.  He  is  the  spirit  that  worketh  now  in 
the  hearts  of  the  children  of  disobedience — hence  the 
prominent  trait  of  character  in  unsanctified  men  of 
talent,  is  cunning,  not  wisdom:  it  is  the  serpent  only, 
not  the  serpent  and  dove  united." 

During  his  residence  with  his  brother,  it  was  his 
custom  often  to  lead  in  the  devotions  at  the  family 
altar,  and  many  of  that  young  female  group  yet 
remember  with  what  fervour  and  simplicity  he  per- 
formed that  service. 

It  became  necessary  for  him  to  attend  to  many 
domestic  duties  which  abound  in  a  country  pastor's 
family,  his  eldest  brother — having  a  female  seminary 
in  his  house,  and  a  church  several  miles  distant,  be- 
sides iiis  village  charge,  and  accustomed  to  attend  all 
public  meetings  that  were  held  for  many  miles  around 
— was  necessarily  much  from  home.  Daniel  joy- 
fully performed  his  healthful  task  in  preparing  the 
wood  for  the  fires,  feeding  the  domestic  animals,  and 
going  of  necessary  errands,  and  then  leaped  with  joy 
from  his  toils,  to  his  room,  and  his  books. 

Religion  in  Daniel  assumed  its  mildest  and  most 


34  MEMOIRS  OF 

amiable  forms.  There  was  apparent,  uncomplaining 
acquiescence  in  the  will  of  God,  and  cheerful  resigna- 
tion to  his  earthly  lot.  It  is  probable  that  with  pa- 
tient submission  to  the  order  of  Providence,  he  oc- 
casionally mingled  warm  expressions  of  desire,  and 
even  suffered  his*  ardent  imagination  to  dwell  upon 
the  bright  visions  of  better  days — and  the  animating 
promise  of  pursuits  congenial  to  the  love  and  incli- 
nation of  his  mind  which  hope  would  often  give. 
This  was  natural:  nor  is  it  inconsistent  with  perfect 
resignation  to  the  Divine  will  to  dwell  on  such  scenes 
of  promised  pleasure  and  delight. 

Combinations  of  light  and  shade  are  beautiful  in  na- 
ture, and  often  in  the  history  of  Christian  experience 
does  the  sunshine  of  resignation  break  in  upon  the 
tears  of  sorrow,  and  mingle  indefinable  feelings, 
which,  like  the  bow  of  promise,  are  a  pledge  of  fairer 
scenery  and  happier  days. 

It  must  be  of  incalculable  advantage  to  a  youth, 
destined  for  the  work  of  the  ministry,  to  pass  a  year 
or  two  in  the  family  and  study  of  a  faithful  and  en- 
lightened pastor.  In  this  case  Daniel  was  fortunate 
— his  brother  Philander  had  enjoyed  the  domicili- 
ated society  of  one  of  the  best  of  pastors  which 
modern  churches  have  known,  Rev.  Joseph  Shep- 
herd, A.  M.,  of  Salem,  New  Jersey,  and  one  of  the 
most  finished  popular  preachers  of  his  time,  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Staughton,  of  Philadelphia. 

Being  so  entirely  at  home,  Daniel  was  a  daily 
spectator  of  his  brother's  toils  and  trials — a  witness 
of  the  varied  scenes  of  duty  and  devotion  which  en- 
gagedness  in  the  labours  of  the  ministry  present. 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  35 

One  week  of  actual  observation  will  impress  more 
deeply  on  the  mind  the  substance  of  lectures  on  pas- 
toral care,  than  a  month  of  abstract  study  alone; 
indeed  it  gives  to  a  young  candidate  what  no  general 
analysis  or  theory  can  include.  The  improvement 
of  this  early  training  may  have  done  much,  in  so 
rapidly  maturing  the  capacity  of  our  young  brother 
for  the  high  discharge  of  those  sacred  functions,  for 
which  he  was  so  prematurely  eminent. 

When  he  entered  the  holy  office,  his  pulpit  efforts 
and  the  habits  of  his  life  indicated  long  experience, 
rather  than  juvenile  theory;  showed  indeed  a  Tuas- 
ter^s  rather  than  a  learner's  hand. 

A  judicious  course  of  reading  was  marked  out  for 
him  by  his  brother,  and  he  had  the  free  use  of  a 
good  library,  with  which  he  closely  occupied  most 
of  his  leisure  hours.  About  this  time  he  writes  the 
following: — 

"  Elmira,  September  29th,  1834. 

"Dear  Brother  Abraham, — My  present  em- 
ployment is  attending  school.  No  pursuit  is  so 
agreeable  to  me  as  study.  If  the  Lord  prolongs  my 
days — an  education  I  intend  to  get.  1  pray  the 
Lord  to  bless  my  efforts.  It  will  take  much  time, 
and  close  application,  but  perseverance  will  con- 
quer ail  common  obstacles. 

"I  would  like  to  see  you,  but  I  do  not  know  that 
I  ever  shall.  Give  my  love  to  all  inquiring  friends* 
I  remain  your  unworthy  brother, 

D.  H.  Gillette." 

That  in  the  midst  of  all  his  studies  and  duties  re- 
ligion was  dearest  to  his  heart,  and  the  object  of  his 


36  MEMOIRS  OF 

brightest  aims,  is  evident  from  the  uniform  character 
of  his  letters  and  the  testimony  of  those  who  knew 
him  most  intimately.  Of  this  his  now  departed 
sister-in-law,  Mrs.  Harriet  Wisner  Gillette,  has  often 
been  heard  to  speak  with  all  of  a  sister's  love  and 
admiration.  It  was  her  privilege  to  be  with  him 
almost  every  day. 

His  views  of  the  sacred  ministry  became  more  and 
more  consistent,  and  the  impression  of  its  vast  im- 
portance deepened  on  his  heart.  His  ardour  for  en- 
tering upon  that  holy  office  became  tempered,  but 
never  checked;  he  felt  its  solemn  responsibility,  and 
a  conscious  incapacity  for  the  complete  discharge 
of  its  multiplied  and  arduous  duties. 

Daniel  was  admitted  to  free  and  unreserved  con- 
versation with  his  brother,  and  the  state  of  his  heart 
and  his  private  walk  with  God,  was  the  oft  repeated 
theme.  Constitutionally  he  was  susceptible  of  the 
most  delicate  impressions  and  keenest  feelings — 
hence  in  religion  he  would  most  deeply  feel.  Con- 
science in  him,  was  ever  alive  and  tender,  and  some- 
times bis  bosom  was  overwhelmed  with  apprehen- 
sions of  guilt,  and  again,  its  heavings  were  the  up- 
rising of  well  springs  of  spiritual  delight.  Philan- 
der was  a  very  spiritually-minded  man,  well  fitted  to 
counsel  and  profit  his  young,  inexperienced,  enthu- 
siastic brother  and  pupil. 

Daniel  frequently  relieved  his  brother,  by  attend- 
ing in  his  place  prayer  and  conference  meetings,  while 
this  gave  Philander  a  respite  from  toils  always  too 
severe  for  his  frail  frame, — it  gave  our  young  novi- 
tiate an  nj)portunity  to  improve  in  that  department 


ttfiV.  D.  H.  G!LLETTK.  3t 

of  ministerial  duty,  in  which  the  most  skilful  are 
not  too  nearly  perfect.  In  reading  and  modestly 
exhorting  from  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  in  prayer^ 
he  evinced  an  enlargement  of  mind  and  heart,  a 
fervency  of  spirit  and  propriety  of  expression  truly 
astonishing. 

In  the  midst  of  these  privileges  and  exercises,  in 
the  society  and  under  the  care  of  his  experienced 
and  judicious  brother,  Daniel  evidently  grew  in 
spiritual  strength,  his  mind  gained  confidence, — his 
principles  were  more  confirmed,  and  he  advanced 
rapidly  in  the  deep  experimental  .knowledge  of  the 
ways  and  word  of  God,  while  yet  occupied  only  in 
the  elementary  studies  preparatory  to  his  great  and 
solemn  work. 

He  had  pleasant  and  familiar  intercourse  with  his 
brother,  for  whom  he  mingled  veneration,  with  natu- 
ral and  Christian  affection,  and  of  whom  he  never 
spoke  but  with  the  rapturous  energy  of  grateful  love. 
Pursuing  duties  every  way  calculated  to  satisfy  his 
ardent  thirst  for  knowledge, — amid  scenes  and  so- 
ciety congenial — -and  in  anxious  preparation  for 
higher  studies,  and  closer  toil  previous  to  engaging 
in  that  holy  office,  long  the  object  of  his  choice,  the 
goal  of  his  efforts — in  solemn  communion  with  him- 
self and  his  God,  did  he  pass  the  allotted  period  of 
his  stay  at  Elmira. 

The  following  letter  shows  the  esteem  in  which 
he  was  held  by  those  who  knew  him  and  heard  his 
public  services. 
5 


38  MEMOIRS  OF 

"Newmarket,  N.  J.,  November  14, 1845, 
"Dear  Brother, — In  the  month  of  July,  1834, 
brother  Daniel  paid  us  a  visit,  in  Friendship,  Alle- 
gheny County,  New  York.  He  was  then  living  in 
Elmira,  and  had  been  teaching.  Learning  that  the 
church  had  called  him  to  the  improvement  of  his 
gift,  I  invited  him  to  preach  for  me.  He  did  so,  to 
great  acceptance.  His  youthful  appearance  and 
pleasing  address  soon  drew  crowds  to  hear  from  his 
lips  the  gospel  of  the  kingdom.  The  church  in 
Friendship  was,  at  that  time,  destitute  of  a  pastor. 
During  his  stay  v^ith  me,  they  gave  him  an  invita- 
tion to  labour  with  them.  He  objected,  on  the 
ground  that  it  was  his  intention  to  study.  I 
was  called  to  attend  a  council,  in  the  town  of 
Independence,  thirty  miles  distant,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  constituting  a  church.  The  country  was 
new  and  the  roads  bad,  so  that  we  were  under  the 
necessity  of  going  on  horseback.  Six  went,  and 
brother  Daniel  was  one  of  the  number.  The  meet- 
ing continued  a  number  of  days,  during  which  he 
preached  several  times,  to  the  astonishment  of  all 
present.  Our  meeting  was  one  of  interest.  While 
on  this  visit,  there  were  a  number  of  young  men 
connected  with  my  church  who  took  much  interest 
in  him, — two  of  whom  accompanied  us.  When  we 
returned  the  church  had  appointed  a  committee,  in- 
structing them  to  obtain  his  labours,  giving  him  the 
privilege  of  attending  an  academic  school,  taught  by 
Rev.  Mr.  Tuttle.     The  school  was  in  good  repute. 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  39 

In  it  a  number  of  pupils  were  preparing  for  college. 
It  was  five  miles  from  the  church,  but  they  agreed 
to  take  him  to  and  fro,  and  give  him  a  reasonable 
compensation  for  his  services.  To  this  proposal  he 
had  quite  an  inclination  to  accede,  but  he  requested 
time  to  return  home  and  ask  the  counsel  of  his 
friends.     They  advised  him  to  go  to  Hamilton. 

"He  had  been  preaching  in  private  dwellings  and 
school-houses,  but  never,  until  he  was  with  me,  had 
he  attempted  to  preach  in  a  pulpit.  It  was  a  visit 
in  which  we  all  took  much  interest.  I  had,  previous 
to  that  time,  not  seen  him  since  he  was  nine  years 
old.  1  looked  upon  him  as  a  man,  a  Christian,  and 
a  minister  of  the  cross." 

Without  any  other  means  except  a  small  sa- 
lary from  a  district  school  which  he  taught  near 
Elmira,  and  what  his  brother  Abraham  had  encou- 
raged him  to  expect  out  of  a  limited  salary,  which 
he  received  from  a  very  poor  people,  whom  he 
served, — Daniel  resolved  to  depart  from  a  home, 
scenes  and  friends,  so  much  endeared  to  his  heart, 
and  resort  to  Hamilton  Seminary,  and  pursue  colle- 
giate and  theological  studies  in  that  justly  and  far- 
famed  institution. 

To  this  decision  he  was  most  decidedly  prompted 
by  a  timely  visit,  at  his  brother's  church,  of  James 
Edmonds,  Esq.,  the  unusually  successful  agent  of  the 
New  York  Baptist  Education  Society. 


40  MEMOIRS  OF 


CHAPTER  IV. 

ENTERS     THE     1N6TITUTI0N SELF-SUPPORT SUPPLIES 

SHERBURNE  CHURCH — ACCEPTS  A  CAXL — GRADUATES. 

The  memoirs  of  an  individual  can  be  best  given 
by  himself;  and  we  find  among  our  brother's  papers 
a  memorandum  in  the  following  words: — 

"I  arrived  in  this  town,  Hamilton,  January  15th, 
1835,  at  4  o'clock,  p.  m.,  and  at  8  I  appeared  before 
the  faculty  as  a  candidate  for  admission  to  the  school. 
A  relation  was  demanded  of  my  Christian  experience ; 
my  call  to  the  great  work  of  preparation  for  the 
minisiry^  and  my  views  of  its  importance,  which 
I  freely  acceded  to,  though  with  much  trembling. 
This  exercise  over,  Professors  Haskell  and  Taylor, 
the  only  members  of  the  faculty  present,  pronounced 
me  a  member  of  the  institution.  With  pleasure, 
though  prospects  dull,  I  entered  upon  the  delighful 
duties  incumbent  upon  me." 

His  feelings  and  circumstances  are  clearly  express- 
ed at  this  time  in  the  following  letter  to  his  brother 
A.,  of  Schenectada: — 

"Hamilton,  January  20th,  1835. 
"Dear  Brother, 

"  With  pleasure  I  commit  my  thoughts  to  paper, 

for  the   purpose  of  giving  you   some    information 

concerning  myself.     I  have  occasion  to  be  thankful 

I  am  satisfied;   being   fully  convinced  that  I  have 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  41 

acted  according  to  duty.  0  how  can  we  be  convert- 
ed without  first  being  convicted?  I  had  engaged  to 
teach  a  school  for  the  winter,  but  I  did  not  com- 
mence; I  became  convinced  that  it  was  my  duty  to 
acquire  an  education,  and  for  that  purpose  I  left 
Elmira,  and  entered  as  a  member  of  this  institution 
the  15th  of  January.  I  came  here  under  some  em- 
barrassments. 

"I  have  entered  only  for  this  term.  If  I  stand, 
but  I  apprehend  no  danger,  I  think  of  taking  a  full 
course,  which  will  be  eight  years;  for  I  wish  to 
acquire  a  knowledge  of  the  languages. 

"  In  this  particular  I  ask  your  advice  which  course 
I  shall  pursue,  considering  my  limited  means. 

"  Never  have  I  been  more  pleasantly  situated  than 
I  am  at  present,  the  hill  of  science  looks  high,  but  I 
feel  determined  to  climb  it  with  alacrity  and  delight. 

"A  scholar,  if  possible,  I  wish  and  mean  to  be.  I 
have  been  neither  home-sick  nor  discontented  since 
I  came  here,  and  money  would  not  tempt  me  to 
leave — My  health  is  good,  and  I  progress  in  study 
faster  than  I  expected  to,  I  commenced  with  a  class 
who  were  advanced  one  year,  and  find  no  difiiculty 
in  going  along  with  them. 

"  I  remain  your  unworthy  brother, 

«  D.  H.  Gillette." 

He  writes:  "In  April  commenced  a  vacation  of 
six  weeks,  during  which  time  I  visited  Elmira. 
Time  spent  in  visiting  lingered.  I  was  anxious  to 
return  to  my  studies,  my  anxieties  were  so  great 
that  I  found  myself  here  again  before  the  vacation 
had  expired.  Having  previously  pursued  nothing 
5* 


m  MEMoms  ot 

but  English  branches,  I  soon  commenced  the  Latin 
grammar,  and  shortly  took  up  the  Latin  reader.  I 
was  so  much  taken  with  my  studies,  that  the  sum- 
mer swiftly  passed  awa}'." 

About  this  time  he  wrote  the  following:-— 

"Hamilton,  1835i 
"Dear  Brother  A., — ► 

"  To  retire  from  study  for  a  few  moments  to  think 
of  distant  friends  causes  my  mind  great  relief.  The 
confinement  of  study,  and  the  perplexing  cares  of 
life  make  me  low-spirited. 

"  When  I  first  came  to  college,  I  supposed  there 
would  be  no  danger  of  laying  down  our  watch,  yea, 
I  supposed  it  to  be  a  Bethel  indeed;  but  I  was  in 
error.  Temptations  are  plenty  here;  snares  are  all 
about  us;  the  eyes  of  the  world  are  upon  us,  the 
enemy  is  watching  for  a  chance  to  put  in  his  dividing 
foot,  and  make  discord.  But  blessed  be  Him  who 
protects  his  children,  we  yet  dwell  in  harmony. 
Every  day  I  live,  I  see  more  plainly  the  importance 
of  watching  unto  prayer. 

"The  school,  you  know,  is  on  a  hill;  yes,  we  are 
as  a  city  set  on  a  hill,  that  cannot  be  hid ;  but  I  fear 
that  we  are  not  as  lights;  though  I  can  only  speak 
for  one.  Religion  is  low;  but  Christ  is  the  same 
yesterday,  to-day,  and  for  ever.  As  it  respects  my 
mind,  I  never  was  more  content  than  at  present:  I 
never  believed  my  employment  to  be  of  so  much 
importance,  and  so  nearly  connected  with  my  eter- 
nal interest  as  1  now  do.  When  I  think  of  the  great 
work  to  which  the  Lord  has  called  me,  I  see  the 
importance  of  being  prepared  before  I  am  sent;  and 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  43. 

if  I  profess  to  be  a  disciple  of  Christ,  why  not  be 
wilHng  to  submit  and  be  like  my  Master.  He  was 
of  like  passions  as  we  are,  yet  learned  obedience.  I 
think  I  am  willing  to  do  his  will  in  all  things,  though 
I  have  been  so  disobedient  that  I  am  not  worthy  to 

be  called  one  of  His  followers Dear  brother, 

when  young  I  imbibed  many  habits,  which  I  find  to 
be  very  disagreeable;  but  I  have  made  pruning  a 
part  of  my  business,  and  I  hope  that  1  am  rid  of  many 
that  were  cumbersome. 

"  My  progress  in  study  is  as  good  as  I  could  ex- 
pect. I  have  been  here  only  about  four  months.  I 
have  commenced  the  study  of  Latin,  and  find  it  not 
to  be  so  difficult  as  I  feared.  There  has  been  a 
change  of  classes  in  the  school,  and  the  lowest  Latin 
class  is  about  fifteen  months  in  advance,  and  will 
enter  college  one  year  from  next  October.  Profes- 
sors tell  me,  that  by  intense  application  I  can  over- 
take the  class  in  about  three  months,  which  would 
prepare  me  for  freshman. 

"  I  would  like  to  see  you :  should  we  live,  I  shall 
try  and  visit  you  in  two  or  three  years. 

"  I  request  an  interest  in  your  prayers.  I  remain 
your  unworthy  brother. 

«  D.  H.  Gillette." 

MEMORANDUM. 

"The  vacation  I  spent  in  study,  closely  confined  to 
my  room.  Next  term  I  took  Caesar's  Commentaries 
and  Greek  lessons.  This  was  a  higher  preparatory 
class.  The  next  spring  vacation  commenced.  1 
went  to  Washington  county,  to  visit  my  mother  and 
sisters, — it  being  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles. 


44  MEMOIRS  OF 

I  went  on  foot,  and  had  a  hard,  tedious  time  oi  it;, 
though  a  very  pleasant  visit. 

LETTER. 

"  Dear  Brother  A,, — 

"  By  this  time  you  will  begin  to  think  that  I  love 
to  write;  when  mind  is  brought  to  work  with  mind, 
and  to  participate  in  its  joys,  there  is  satisfaction  of 
a  superior  nature,  though  I  confess  that  little  of  the 
like  is  afforded  me,  by  sympathy; — but  I  censure 
you  not  for  delay,  for  the  time  since  I  last  wrote  is 
only  six  weeks.  I  am  fully  aware  that  your  desire 
for  my  prosperity  and  success  is  of  no  ordinary  cha- 
racter, for  every  symptom  or  development  of  the 
kind  speaks  loudly  in  its  favour,  and  as  a  brother,  I 
greatly  revere  you ;  as  one  in  whose  affections  I  trust 
I  have  a  place  of  no  small  value,  and  as  a  worthy 
counsellor,  a  kind  friend,  I  rely  upon  you  with 
implicit  confidence. 

"Being  situated  as  I  am,  I  find  it  necessary  to 
have  one  confident  friend  in  whom  I  can  repose  the 
same  as  if  he  were  a  guardian.  You  may  smile  that 
I  wish  you  for  a  guardian,  since  I  have  arrived  to  the 
freedom  of  years  ;  but  had  I  one  who  was  faithful, 
and  approbated  my  course  of  study—it  would  cause 
me  less  trouble  of  mind.  My  task  at  present  is  great. 
1  attend  two  recitations  each  day  in  the  languages, 
and  one  in  mathematics,  and  pay  my  board  with  the 
labour  of  my  hands,  which  consumes  three  hours 
each  day,  yet  nothing  discourages  me  except  that  I 
cannot  learn  fast  enough,  and  1  know  not  the  cause, 
only  that  I  have  a  small  portion  of  brain,  and  a  thick 
head,  or  that  the  bump's  of  intellect  are  not  sufficient- 


REV.  D.  H.  GILXETTE.  45 

ly  developed  to  speed  my  course.  I  heard  from 
mother  about  four  weeks  since;  one  of  the  students 
called  to  see  her.  She  and  Father  Wheldon  were 
well.  Uncle  James  Dunham  buried  his  wife  in  Sep- 
tember. 0,  that  I  may  be  prepared  to  meet  my  God. 
"Your  brother,  D.  H.  Gillette." 

MEMORANDUM, 

"I  returned  in  due  time,  and  again  commenced 
my  labour:  read  Virgil — Greek  reader,  spent  the 
summer  thus.  In  August  came  commencement  with 
all  its  bustle  and  hurry — drawing  upon  the  hill  of 
science  multitudes  from  the  four  winds,  to  witness 
the  performance  upon  the  grand  drama.  All  passed 
ofif  joyfully.  1  immediately  left,  and  went  to  Troy, 
Pa.,  as  I  had  agreed  to  supply  a  Baptist  church 
there,  during  vacation — I  laboured  with  pleasure, 
and  I  hope  profit.  When  the  appointed  season  had 
fled,  as  upon  the  wings  of  time  1  again  returned. 
School  commenced — I  entered  freshmen  class — and 
took  up  the  study  of  algebra  and  Xenophon,  in  Greek. 
In  the  spring,  I  visited  the  people  of  Elmira  and  my 
brother  Philander. 

"I  am  connected  with  the  church  in  that  place:  I 
was  glad  to  see  my  friends,  and  make  them  a  visit, 
but  I  was  more  anxious  to  return  to  my  studies. 

"At  the  time  appointed  I  was  here  again,  occupied 
with  geometry,  mathematics;  Horace  and  Homer: 
thus  in  the  pursuit  of  my  studies,  passed  away  the 
summer  of  1S37 — the  other  having  already  gone, 
never  to  be  recalled.  And  in  August,  commence- 
ment again  held  out  its  attractive  novelties,  both  to 
the  rustic  and  the  refined,  and  not  altogether  in  vain. 


46  MEMOIRS    OF 

Multitudes  attended,,  and  the  stage  was  occupied 
much  to  the  honour  of  the  school,  learning,  and  our 
holy  religion. 

"  The  vacation,  being  eight  weeks,  I  spent  preach- 
ing to  a  small  church  in  Sherburne  village — eleven 
miles  from  Hamilton.  It  was  a  very  agreeable  and 
profitable  season  to  my  soul. 

The  next  term  commenced  in  October.  I  entered 
upon  Day's  second  course  of  mathematics — Hebrew 
commenced.  There  have  rolled  into  eternity  nearly 
three  years  since  I  came  within  these  walls,  which 
are  consecrated  to  God. 

"  Uninterrupted  health  has  been  my  fortune.  Pro- 
vidence has  smiled  on  every  hand — yet  in  reviewing 
the  past,  I  see  that  I  have  made  such  slow  progress 
in  holy  attainment,  that  it  gives  me  much  occasion 
for  humiliation.  My  heart  seems  as  cold  as  the  No- 
vember winds.  May  the  Lord  pardon  all  I  have 
done  amiss,  and  the  rich  influence  of  his  Spirit, 
lead  me  into  all  truth ;  also  by  cleansing  me  from  all 
sin,  prepare  me  to  be  a  competent  ambassador  of 
Christ,  in  some  vacant  portion  of  the  world,  where  I 
may  point  dying  souls  to  Jesus.  This  grant,  0  Lord, 
for  thy  name's  sake.     Amen." 

The  following  is  an  account  he  gives  of  a  meet- 
ing he  attended. 

"Hamilton,  January  16,  183S. 

"I  have  just  returned  from  attending  a  series  of 
meetings,  holden  in  the  Baptist  church  in  Brookfield, 
twelve  miles  from  this  place,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Turner, 
pastor;  it  commenced  new  year's  day,  and  con- 
tinued until  the  fourteenth.     It  was  a  season  of  joy 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  47 

to  some,  and  of  grief  to  others.  It  was  not  signal- 
ized by  such  wonderful  displays  of  divine  power,  as 
many  are,  yet  it  evidently  proved  a  blessing  to  Zion, 
and  to  my  poor  soul.  The  church  was  greatly  re- 
vived, some  backsliders  were  reclaimed,  and  many 
searched  out,  who  had  long  cherished  a  hope  of 
pardon  through  a  Saviour's  love,  and  were  enabled 
to  take  a  bold  stand  in  defence  of  the  gospel.  A 
few  of  the  careless  and  thoughtless  were  arrested  by 
the  power  of  truth,  while  it  pleased  our  heavenly 
Father,  to  make  bare  his  potent  arm — unsheath  the 
sword  of  the  Spirit,  and  by  his  own  goodness  and 
mercy  to  separate  between  their  souls  and  their  sins. 

"Nineteen  have  trod  theyielding  wave,  in  imitation 
of  the  example  furnished  by  the  Lord  Jesus,  from 
heaven;  others  are  desiring  to  walk  the  same  road. 
It  was  a  season  in  vvhich  my  soul  delighted.  At 
times,  I  could  view  most  evidently  the  Saviour's 
presence,  and  could  obtain  some  foretaste  of  the  bless- 
ings in  reserve  for  the  righteous;  but  at  other  times, 
the  most  gloomy  darkness  seemed  to  break  over  my 
mind,  and  totally  obscure  the  majesty  of  a  Saviour's 
character  and  love.  Yet  I  believe  I  made  some 
holy  attainments;  I  have  learned  the  necessity  of 
living  daily  more  intimately  with  my  Bible,  and  to 
strive  for  closer  communion  with  my  God. 

"0  Lord,  help  me  from  this  time  forth  to  glorify 
thee  more  perfectly,  and  to  feel  more  deeply  the 
worth  of  souls.  Then  shall  I  teach  transgressors  thy 
ways,  and  sinners  shall  be  converted  unto  thee. 
Help  me  to  obey  thy  commandments,  for  Christ's 
sake.     Amen." 


48  MEMOIRS  OF 

His  account  of  a  work  of  grace  in  the  church  in 
Hamilton  village,  follows: — 

"Hamilton  Seminary,  January  28, 1838. 

"It  is  now  Sabbath  afternoon.  I  have  just  returned 
from  one  of  the  most  interesting  scenes  that  I  ever 
witnessed.  Nothing  more  forcibly  reminded  me 
of  my  past  experience  and  my  present  duty.  It 
led  me  back  in  mind  to  the  memorable  day 
when  I  followed  the  Lamb  into  the  watery 
tomb;  a  blessed  time  to  me,  that  my  soul  knows 
right  well.  But,  0  the  guilt  I  feel  creeping  over 
my  conscience,  when  I  perceive  how  little  to  the 
glory  of  God,  the  time  between  that  period  and  the 
present  has  been  spent;  since  then  I  have  tried  to 
preach  the  gospel  many  times;  but  I  fear  my  example 
has  paralyzed  the  power  of  truth — God  knows  I  am 
determined  to  live  more  to  his  honour. 

"There  is  a  meeting  here  in  progress,  which  com- 
menced four  weeks  since;  a  large  number  of  souls 
have  been  converted  to  God.  Several  have  to-day 
been  planted  in  the  likeness  of  Christ's  death,  and 
raised  again  in  the  likeness  of  his  resurrection. 

"May  the  Lord  continue  the  good  work,  until  the 
valleys  shall  echo  his  praises,  and  all  the  impenitent 
be  brought  to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth.  This,  Lord, 
grant  for  the  sake  of  thine  own  glory.     Amen." 

His  means  of  support  being  very  limited,  he  spent 
the  vacation  in  preaching  to  destitute  churches,  in 
order  to  be  enabled  to  assist  himself  in  the  pursuit 
of  his  studies;  and  having  preached  to  the  church  in 
Sherburne  village  during  the  last  vacation,  much  to 
their  satisfaction,  they  gave  him  a  call  to  continue 


asV.  D.  H.  GiLLETtE.  49 

his  labours  with  them.  He  pursued  his  studies  in 
the  institution,  and  at  the  close  of  the  week  would 
walk  to  Sherburne,  a  distance  of  eleven  miles,  preach 
twice,  and  sometimes  thrice  on  Sunday,  and  on 
Monday  morning  return  again.  Occasionally  some 
of  his  brethren  would  take  him  part  way  back,  but 
he  mostly  walked  the  whole  distance. 

In  reference  to  this  labour,  he  writes  as  follows: 

*•  Hamilton,  July  16,  1839, 
"  Last  April  I  accepted  a  call  from  the  church 
in  Sherburne  village.  I  commenced  preaching  for 
them  on  the  twenty -third.  Oh!  what  need  of  more 
piety.  My  heart  seems  barren  and  cold.  From 
that  time  up  to  the  present,  the  Lord  has  seemed  to 
smile  upon  the  little  church.  Five  happy  souls 
have  professed  faith,  by  following  the  Saviour  in 
baptism,  and  twelve  have  united  with  us  by  letter. 

"  To-day  I  was  called  to  preach  a  funeral  sermon 
on  a  very  solemn  occasion.  A  young  lad,  on  Sab- 
bath afternoon,  while  bathing  in  the  water,  drowned. 
O!  it  is  a  fearful  thing  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the 
living  God.  My  text  was  from  Matthew  v.  8, 
*  Blessed  are  the  pure  in  heart,  for  ihey  shall  see 
God.'  I  tried  to  tell  the  people  what  purity  of  heart 
was,  and  enforced  it  by  urging  upon  parents  the  ne- 
cessity of  training  up  their  children  in  the  ways  of 
God — also  upon  the  young  people,  that  they  might 
prepare  to  meet  their  God.  I  then  addressed  an 
interesting  group  of  lads,  upon  the  necessity  of 
striving  to  love  God,  obey  their  parents,  and  keep 
the  Sabbath  holy. 

"Mr.  Delevan,  Presbyterian  minister,  closed  by  an 
6 


50  MEMOIRS  or 

appropriate  prayer.  The  season  was  interesting;  I 
felt  that  death  and  judgment  were  near.  I  trust 
that  the  occasion  will  be  blessed  to  all  who  were 
present.  God  was  there.  Yes,  he  showed,  by  the 
stroke  of  death,  that  he  was  a  God  at  hand,  and  not 
afar  off. 

"0  thou  whose  throne  is  in  the  heavens,  grant  this 
night,  that  I,  thy  servant,  may  possess  more  of  the 
spirit  of  Christianity,  the  spirit  of  Christ.  0,  that  I 
may  live  with  death  constantly  in  view.  So  help 
me  '  to  number  my  days,  that  I  may  apply  my  heart 
unto  wisdom."' 

The  following  extracts  exhibit  him  as  a  student 
and  a  minister. 

"Sherburne,  August  20,  1838. 

"Dear  Brother  A. — Yours  came  on  Saturday 
evening,  be  assured  that  it  was  to  my  mind  as  gentle 
zephyrs  to  the  fog  which  so  often  obscures  the  rising 
splendour  of  the  morning  sun, 

"  I  was  at  that  time  lingering  between  hope  and 
despair,  doubting  whether  my  friends  had  any  re- 
gard for  me  above  an  ordinary  acquaintance,  but 
these  thoughts  quickly  disappeared,  and  a  gleam  of 
hope,  mingled  with  transcendent  joy,  beamed  on 
my  mind,  while  I  read  your  message,  and  from  it 
gained  the  satisfactory  evidence  that  your  solicitude 
for  my  welfare  was  not  in  the  least  abated. 

"I  am  now  with  the  church  in  Sherburne,  and  have 
engaged  to  preach  for  them  on  the  Sabbaths,  for 
one  year.  Last  Wednesday  was  the  anniversary 
of  the  institution;  it  was  an  interesting  one  too 2 
happy  would  I  have  been  to  have  seen  vou  there, 


REV.  O.  H.  GILLETTE.  51 

I  shall  expect  you  when  I  graduate,  if  Providence 
allows  me  to  do  so.  I  am  now  in  junior  year.  The 
present  vacation  I  shall  spend  here;  my  situation  is 
indeed  pleasant;  the  church  is  small,  but  happily 
progressive:  located  in  one  of  our  beautiful  western 
villages ;  with  a  commodious  house  for  worship.  The 
congregation  is  good;  it  has  grown  much  during  the 
summer;  twenty  have  been  added  to  the  church:  all 
is  encouraging.  They  seem  much  inclined  to  pro- 
mote me.  I  appear  to  be  by  them  much  esteemed. 
I  hope  not  to  do  any  thing  to  destroy  this  respect, 
but  rather  to  increase  it,  that  God  may  be  glorified. 
1  find  that  preaching  constantly  and  also  prosecuting 
my  studies  do  not  very  well  agree.  I  cannot  make 
that  proficiency  in  the  sciences  and  polite  literature, 
that  I  would,  did  I  not  preach :  but  necessity  drives 
me  to  this  course. 

"Oh  how  I  do  want  to  see  you  ;  the  wife  and  child- 
ren also.  Give  them  my  kind  respects.  Your  affec- 
tionate brother.  D.  H.  Gillette." 

"Sherburne,  Nov,  5th,  1838. 
"Since  the  last  date,  the  Lord  has  contirmed  to  be- 
stow the  riches  of  his  goodness.  My  health  has 
been  good,  and  most  of  the  time  I  have  enjoyed 
peace  of  mind.  But,  Oh!  my  leanness.  I  have  con- 
cluded not  to  return  to  the  institution  this  fall,  but 
to  remain  with  my  little  church,  and  prosecute  my 
studies.  I  enjoy  great  privileges.  I  am  furnished 
with  all  free  of  expense.  I  wish  to  enjoy  more  re- 
ligion, and  be  able  to  illustrate  its  great  truths  by 
my  example,  better  and  more  vividly.  0  Lord,  take 
not  thy  Holy  Spirit  from  me.     "  As  the  hart  pantetJi 


52  MEMOIRS  OF 

after  the  water  brooks,  so  panteth  my  soul  after  thee, 
0  God!"  Lead  me,  O  Lord!  into  wisdom's  ways: 
they  are  ways  of  pleasantness,  and  her  paths  peace. 
Do  thou,  0  Lord,  pardon  all  my  sins,  and  forgive  all 
my  transgressions;  lead  me  not  into  temptation,  but 
deliver  me  from  evil,  for  thine  is  the  kingdom,  the 
power,  and  the  glory  for  ever.     Amen.'" 

"Sherburne,  Dec.  23,  1838. 
"Sunday  evening.  0  time,  whence  art  thou  fled? 
A  nother  year  has  nearly  passed,  the  fierce  storms  and 
the  howling  winds  of  this  wintry  month  tell  loudly 
that  cold  and  icy  January  is  near.  Another  year  of 
my  life  has  passed,  and  may  I  with  any  encourage- 
ment ask,  Am  I  better  now  than  I  was  one  year 
ago?  Have  I  also  within  the  last  twelve  months 
done  any  good  in  the  church,  and  have  any  souls 
been  saved  through  my  instrumentality?  Solemn  in- 
quiry;— 0  Lord,  help  me  to  examine  my  heart,  my 
hope,  and  my  faith.  Do  I  love  thee?  "0  Lord, 
thou  knowest  that  I  love  theeV^ 

"I  tried  to  preach  to-day  from  the  tenth  verse  of 
the  fifty-first  Psalm,  from  which  I  tried  to  remind  the 
church  of  what  their  emotions  once  were,  contrast- 
ing them  with  the  present  state  of  things.  I  inferred 
that  there  was  a  departure  from  the  faith,  and  if  a  de- 
parture, hence  a  necessity  of  returning,  consequently 
the  prayer  in  the  text  was  ours,  and  in  conclusion  I 
offered  a  few  remarks  on  the  result.  I  sincerely  felt 
its  force;  0  that  it  might  rest  upon  my  heart  with 
greater  weight ! 

"I  am  boarding  with  Joseph  Smith,  my  health  is 
quite  good.     I  am  able  to  study  much,  but  how  cold 


REV\  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  53 

Sftiy  heart  is!  0  that  it  might  be  warmed  with  hea- 
venly zeal  and  divine  love. 

"0  Lord!  I  thank  thee  for  all  thy  past  mercies;  on 
thee  I  am  wholly  dependent.  Of  this  may  I  he 
constantly  sensible,  and  always  possess  an  humble 
and  contrite  heart !  0  Lord!  forgive  all  my  sins: 
save  me  with  an  everlasting  salvation,  through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord.     Amen." 

About  this  time  we  find,  in  a  letter  to  his  brother 
A., his  situation  described;  and  his  feelings  expressed 
as  follows: — 

"The  present  season  has  been  different  to  me  from 
any  other  since  I  began  to  study.  I  commenced 
the  fall  term  with  health  and  good  spirits,  and 
found  myself  able  to  progress  with  great  ease  and 
speeds  I  nearly  thought  myself  a  new  creature. 
My  exertioKS  were  vigorous,  and  had  1  met  with  no 
impediment,  I  should  have  graduated  in  the  spring; 
but,  my  dear  brother,  I  have  learned  how  frail  a  thing 
is  man.  I  was  seized  with  illness,  which  came  very 
near  producing  an  entire  prostration.  I  found  friends, 
however,  who  extensively  manifested  the  law  of 
kindness,  and  develof)ed  principles  of  benevolence, 
by  lending  me  tbeir  sympathies.  Every  requisite  fa- 
vour was  freely  bestowed,  and  soon  I  found  myself 
recovering.  At  present  I  enjoy  a  tolerable  degree 
of  health,  but  I  am  unable  to  study  with  as  much 
vigour  as  before.  I  find  no  special  difficulty,  how- 
ever, in  keeping  up  with  my  class.  My  disease 
was  principally  in  the  head,  a  heavy  pressure,  and 
great  distress  over  the  eyes,  from  which  pain  was 
diffused  through  the  whole  system.  I  am  not  yet 
6* 


54  MEMOIRS  Oi" 

entirely  free  from  it,  and  fear  I  never  shall  be,  for 
application  of  mind  brings  it  on.  I  hope,  however, 
by  care  I  may  overcome  it.  It  was  first  occasioned 
by  hard  study.  In  order  to  preach  twice  a  week, 
and  continue  with  my  class,  required  extra  effort;  it 
was  too  much,  however.  I  yet  continue  it,  and  Pro- 
vidence allowing,  shall  through  the  winter,  for  it  is 
necessary.  I  have  been  inclined  to  leave  in  the 
spring,  and  enter  entirely  into  the  ministry;  but  I  do 
desire  to  complete  my  college  course.  I  am  now  in 
junior  year — good  propositions  and  encouragements 
have  been  placed  before  me,  yet  I  shall  wade  through, 
if  possible,  and  try  to  be  a  man." 

D.  H.  Gillette." 

January  31st,  1839. 

"  I  am  boarding  with  J.  H.  Parmely.  I  ought 
now  to  be  able  to  write  differently  from  the  last. 
But,  Lord,  thou  knowest  that  I  cannot  speak  falsely. 
The  weather  is  cold  and  stormy,  and  my  heart  has 
sympathized  with  it.  Lord,  beneath  the  wings  of  thy 
love,  January  is  as  pleasant  as  June,  but  elsewhere 
the  bleak  winds  of  winter  blow,  and  the  cold  chilling 
storms  beat  with  unrestrained  fury. 

"  My  employment  is  the  most  delightful,  preparing 
to  point  dying  sinners  to  Jesus.  But  without  faith, 
living  and  lively  faith,  it  is  irksome,  because  con- 
science writhes  at  the  thought,  and  the  heart  at  once 
sickens:  yet  I  have  hope.  I  am  not  willing  to 
forsake  my  Saviour  while  life  and  being  last.  "  He 
that  endureth  unto  the  end,  the  same  shall  he 
saved."  I  desire  more  of  the  divine  presence;  O 
for  a  holy  unction!     Without  prayer  the  spiritual 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  55 

man  faints.  0  Lord !  admit  me  to  holy  communion 
with  thee;  I  desire  that  my  life  may  be  like  a  gentle 
flowing  stream,  enriching  and  fertilizing  the  plain. 
0  Lord !  make  me  more  humble,  that  I  may  be  more 
useful.  Pardon  all  my  sins,  do  thou,  for  I  have 
done  wickedly:  lead  me  into  all  truth;  be  thou  with 
me,  and  when  mortality  shall  crumble  to  earth,  save 
my  soul." 

"Sherburne,  March  97th,  1839. 

"The  Lord  has  in  great  kindness  preserved  me 
until  the  present  date.  0  that  I  might  record  won- 
ders accomplished  by  me,  as  an  agent  of  the  Divine 
will;  but  alas!  a  death-like  stupor  seems  to  have  cast 
a  chilling  wand  over  my  mind,  and  bound  my  feel- 
ings as  with  chains  of  frost!  Why  am  I  so  insensible 
to  the  worth  of  souls?  Much  of  the  time  I  have  pos- 
sessed strong  desires  for  the  prosperity  of  Zion.  But 
my  mind  has  not  dwelt  with  sufficient  intenseness 
on  the  worth  of  souls  or  the  salvation  of  those  about 
me.  My  service  with  this  church  is  nearly  closed: 
truly  I  can  say, '  The  Lord  hath  done  great  things  for 
me,  whereof  I  am  glad.* 

"Yesterday  I  removed  from  J.  H.  Parmely's  to 
Deacon  Vanwagner's.  My  present  home,  as  was  the 
former,  is  pleasant.  0  that  I  may  exert  a  hallowed  in- 
fluence, causing  many  hearts  to  rejoice,  in  hopes  of  a 
blessed  immortality.  Lord,  to  thy  hands  I  resign 
myself.  As  a  shepherd  defendeth  his  flock,  so  keep 
me  from  the  evils  that  are  in  the  world,  and  lead  me 
in  the  way  everlasting.  May  my  days,  whether  few 
or  many,  be  numbered  in  thy  service,  and  when  the 
knell  of  dissolving  nature  shall  call  me  hence,  take 
my  spirit  into  thy  presence.     Amen  " 


66  MEMOIRS  OF 

In  April,  vacation  commenced.  He  visited  liis 
brother  Walter,  pastor  of  the  seventh  day  Baptist 
church,  in  Piscataway,  N.  J.  For  about  six  months 
his  brother  W.  had  been  supplying  the  Baptist  church 
in  Rahvvay  upon  the  first  day  of  the  week,  and  he, 
wishing  to  be  released  from  preaching  two  days  in 
succession  and  travelling  the  distance  of  eleven 
miles,  recommended  Daniel,  his  young  brother,  as 
worthy  of  their  regard.  After  hearing  him  preach 
twice,  they  unanimously  invited  him  to  spend  with 
them  the  vacation,  which  would  be  six  weeks.  His 
shining  talents,  his  ardent  zeal,  and  his  familiar  and 
pleasing  address,  attracted  crowds,  who  assembled 
to  hear  from  his  lips  the  words  of  the  kingdom.  In 
a  few  weeks  a  strong  attachment  was  formed  between 
him  and  the  church.  They  became  satisfied  that  it 
was  their  duty  to  secure  him,  if  possible,  as  their 
pastor.  Before  the  time  expired  for  which  he  was 
engaged,  a  meeting  of  the  church  and  congregation 
was  held:  the  result  was,  a  call  for  him  to  settle 
with  them  as  pastor,  securing  to  him  a  salary  suffi- 
cient for  his  support;  and  the  privilege  of  returning 
to  the  institution  to  close  his  studies  and  graduate 
which  would  require  about  two  months. 

Concerning  his  supplying  the  church  in  Rahway, 
we  find  the  following  record.  It  also  shows  his  cor- 
dial reception  there. 

"Rahway,  April  20lh,  1840. 
"Dear  Brother, 

"I  received  yours  by  cousin  James  Ayers,  and 
was  glad  to  hear  that  you  are  all  well  and  happy. 
I  am  quite  pleasantly  situated,  and  receive  all  the 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  67 

attention  from  the  people  that  I  can  wish.  The 
audience  is  large;  yesterday  was  my  second  Sabbath 
here,  and  the  congregation  was  overwhelming.  In 
the  evening  I  preached  for  the  methodists,  and  some 
told  me  that  their  chapel  was  never  so  full  before. 
They  filled  every  seat,  sat  and  stood  in  the  aisles,  and 
climbed  on  the  pulpit.  I  tried  to  preach  to  them 
Jesus  from  the  words,  'If  any  man  thirst,  let  him  come 
unto  me  and  drink. '  Walter  was  highly  esteemed 
here,  the  people  thronged  to  hear  him  whenever  he 
preached.  I  am  on  some  accounts  much  delighted: 
the  field  is  large,  great  opportunity  for  usefulness, 
and  every  where  I  meet  with  a  cordial  reception;  the 
church  manifest  great  love  and  attachment,  and  in 
their  feelinsrs  have  settled  me.  I  have  made  en- 
gagements  only  till  the  first  of  June,  but  they  are 
making  arrangements  for  me  to  return  in  August, 
and  become  their  pastor.  The  responsibility  will 
be  great,  for  the  church  is  small  in  numbers  and 
much  in  debt,  so  that  they  cannot  give  me  a  large 
salary.  I  suppose,  however,  that  they  will  give  me 
at  least  four  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  which  would 
support  me  single,  and  such  I  intend  to  remain. 

"I  shall  come  to  no  definite  conclusion  until  I  see 
you,  then  we  will  talk  over  matters  and  things. 
When  you  go  to  N.  Y,,  come  directly  here  and 
spend  the  night  with  me,  and  I  will  go  on  with  you. 
I  have  good  boarding  but  a  few  rods  from  the  Man- 
sion House. 

"Tell  mother  that  1  want  to  see  her  very  much, 
your  little  wife,  my  sister,  also,  I  must  see  before  I 
return.    Come,  brother,  I  have  a  story  to  tell  you, 


58  MEMOIRS  OF 

long  as  the  moral  law.  I  cannot  write  it,  so  if  you 
wish  to  know  it,  come  and  see  mc.  My  love  to 
all.     Your  brother." 

EXTRACTS. 

"  The  winter,  thus  far,  has  been  one  of  the  most 
delightful  I  ever  witnessed:  but  little  snow  has 
fallen.  The  weather  has  been  remarkably  fine. 
Storms  have  seemed  to  be  locked  up  in  a  prison, 
and  not  permitted  to  shoot  their  destructive  ar- 
rows over  the  land,  leaving  behind  that  dread- 
ful aspect  consequent  upon  such  occasions.  The 
raging  winds  have  remained  hushed,  while  the  sky 
has  appeared  like  one  vast  curtain  set  with  the 
richest  gems,  all  adding  beauty  to  elegance,  suffi- 
cient to  swell  the  heart  of  a  poet  to  a  degree  that  it 
should  pour  forth  the  richest  effusion.  We  arise  at 
half-past  four  in  the  morning,  and  at  the  usual  time 
I  am  permitted  to  greet  the  king  of  day  with  feel- 
ings of  no  ordinary  character.  What  is  better  cal- 
culated to  lead  the  Christian's  heart  to  God  in 
purest  gratitude,  or  more  forcibly  remind  him  of  the 
beauty  of  the  heavenly  world,  than  to  gaze  upon  the 
sun  in  a  cloudless  morn,  while  he  looks  with  proud 
majesty  from  behind  the  eastern  hills?  With  a 
golden  embrace  he  at  once  encircles  all  nature,  in- 
spiring and  animating  it  with  real  life.  The  little 
rill  tumbling  down  the  lone  mountain-side  shouts  in 
his  brilliancy,  the  gentle  river  laughs  beneath  the 
brightness  of  his  morning  splendour,  while  the 
raging  sea  embraces  him  as  a  friend  and   brother. 

My  industry  is  my  fortune,  my  chief 

dependence  for  support,  and,  that  I  may  go  on  with 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  59 

my  studies,  time  must  be  improved  to  good  advan- 
tage  My  manner  of  labour  has  been, 

first,  to  select  a  subject  appropriate  to  the  people  and 
the  occasion,  one  that  is  rich  with  good  ideas. 
Second,  to  arrange  those  ideas  in  the  most  natural 
and  lucid  style  possible;  mature  them  in  thought, 
then  write  my  sermons  complete  in  the  best  compo- 
sition of  which  I  am  master;  next,  commit  them  to 
memory,  so  that  I  can  preach  without  notes;  then 
to  possess  myself  with  confidence  and  personal  com- 
mand, and,  in  delivering,  strive  to  call  the  mind  of 
the  audience  to  the  importance  of  the  subject.  In 
this  way,  I  am  happy  to  say,  I  have  not  failed  of 
success,  and,  while  preaching  for  the  church,  the 

assemblies  were  constantly  increasing 

"  I  never  had  my  time  more  completely  occupied 
than  during  the  present  term:  as  a  class,  our  labours 
are  arduous.  Being  the  last  year  of  our  course,  our 
teachers  seem  determined  to  measure  us,  and  to 
know  how  much  we  are  able  to  accomplish;  but  I 
complain  not,  for  as  yet  1  have  been  enabled  to  do 
all  that  was  assigned  me,  with  satisfaction  to  my 
teachers  and  with  tolerable  credit  to  myself.  My 
studies  are  Hebrew,  Greek,  and  the  sciences,  and  a 
greater  portion  to  each  lesson  than  is  generally  al- 
lotted in  the  colleges,  as  acknowledged  by  those  who 
instruct  us.  In  connexion  with  these,  it  has  been 
my  duty  to  prepare  and  deliver  an  oration  before 
the  institution  this  winter,  besides  essays  and  other 
duties  of  minor  importance;  moreover,  I  preach 
regularly,  two  Sabbaths  every  month.  Now  all 
these  labours,  as  you  know,  together  with  a  little 


60  MEMOIRS  OF 

negligence,  have  caused  me  to  defer  answering  you 
until  the  present.  Now  please  forgive  my  past 
negligence,  and  make  all  due  allowances.  The 
weather  is  extremely  cold;  yesterday  morning  the 
thermometer  ranged  at  thirty-five  degrees  below 
zero.  Oh  how  I  quaked;  I  almost  tremble  now 
thinking  of  it.  Sleighing  is  excellent — snow  nearly 
two  feet  deep,  but  I,  poor  boy,  am  housed  up,  and 
can  take  no  pleasure  in  it.  Yet  I  do  not  moUrn,  for 
it  is  much  greater  pleasure  to  regale  myself  with  a 
classic  breeze  than  the  chilling  blasts  of  the  north. 
The  institution  never  was  more  flourishing,  the  num* 
ber  of  students  never  larger,  and  never,  perhaps, 
more  respectable:  some  compliment  to  me,  you  see, 
and  not  a  little  to  yourself,  that  you  have  a  brother 

here It  may  be  necessary,  as  you  style 

yourself  a  critic,  to  make  a  few  notes  in  reference  to 
my  penmanship  and  style  of  composition.  Now,  aa 
it  regards  the  former,  I  think,  if  you  censure  me, 
you  take  liberty  without  occasion;  for  you  know,  as 
to  brothers  and  sisters,  in  reference  to  elegance  with 
the  pen,  the  talent  never  prevailed,  so  from  this  I 
free  myself  with  the  greatest  ease, 

"As  to  the  latter,  I  stand  on  self-possessed  ground^ 
although,  in  this  respect,  may  be  seen  a  spirit  simi- 
lar to  the  old  family  complaint.  You  know  that  a 
flock  of  pigeons  may  be  gathering  the  scattered 
grains  on  the  harvest-field,  and  present  a  most  beau* 
tiful  spectacle  of  harmony,  yet  the  snap  of  a  gun, 
a  hiss  with  the  mouth,  or  a  rustling  in  the  grass, 
will  instantly  throw  them  into  confusion.  Thus  it  is 
with  my  ideas — nature  gave  me  the  stock  and  situ- 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  61 

ated  them,  but  the  buzzing  of  the  rattle-snake, 
the  crying  of  the  eagle,  the  howling  of  the  wolf, 
and  the  wild  inhabitants  of  black  mountain,  on  the 
shores  of  Lake  Horicon,  disorganized  the  whole, 
so  that   all  you  get  from  me,  although  a  student, 

are'  but    fragments The   many 

difficulties  and  peculiar  straits  we  are  obliged  to  pass, 
furnish  one  prominent  evidence  in  favour  of  the  fact 
that  we  are  finite;  and  nothing  more  forcibly  teaches 
us  our  dependence.  On  the  history  of  the  last  three 
years  of  my  life,  I  am  able  to  look  with  feelings  of 
no  ordinary  character,  commencing  with  the  time 
when  I  first  entered  the  institution  for  the  purpose 
of  acquiring  a  liberal  education,  to  aid  me  in  the 
gospel  ministry.  You  well  know  my  means  for 
defraying  expenses  were  limited,  and  had  it  not 
been  for  the  glory  of  God,  I  should  never  have  un- 
dertaken such  a  task.  That  I  would  accomplish  the 
object  seemed  impossible,  yet  I  had  a  determination, 
the  Lord  willing,  to  see  the  topmost  stone  of  the 
temple.  I  entered  with  the  expectation  of  staying 
four  years,  supposing,  by  that  time,  I  should  be  so 
old  that  I  should  not  be  able  to  do  much  good. 
Afier  one  year,  I  discovered  that,  at  the  end  of  four 
years,  the  way  would  just  be  opened  through  which 
I  might  enter  the  field,,  fraught  with  all  the  privi- 
leges requisite  for  the  station  I  hope  to  occupy.  Con- 
sequently, with  pleasure  I  added  two  more  years, 
one  half  of  which  time  has  now  expired.  Age,  debt, 
and  toil,  are  the  least  things  that  trouble  me.  I  am 
intent  on  completing  my  course,  if  circumstances 
permit.     I  have  dark  seas  to  navigate,  and  some  tre- 


62  MEMOIRS  OF 

mendoiis  storms  to  face:  yet  the  Lord  is  kind  and 
'  doth  all  things  well.'     .... 

"  Last  Friday,  twelve  o'clock  at  night  found  me 
again  ascending  the  rugged  steep  on  which  stands 
and  towers  amid  clouds,  basks  in  the  sun-beams,  and 
delights  the  stranger  who  passes;  the  memorable 
school  whence  go  those  who  herald  the  pure  gospel 
of  the  kingdom.  It  seemed  like  returning  home 
and  reviewing  the  scenes  of  my  childhood.  Every 
stone  against  which  my  feet  chanced  to  come,  seemed 
to  be  aware  of  my  return.  The  stars  looked  clearer. 
I  read  in  their  bright  twinkling  a  hearty  welcome. 
The  rustling  leaves,  the  gentle  zephyr,  and  the 
dewy  atmosphere  appeared  to  extend  their  friendly 
arms  to  give  me  a  kind  reception,  as  though  I  had 
returned  to  those  who  were  waiting  with  anxious 
solicitude.  When  I  met  those  with  whom  I  had  so 
long  associated,  I  found  that  friendship  could  kin- 
dle at  the  first  sight  of  the  object  on  which  it  cen- 
tred.— Faculty  and  students  were  well  and  the  in- 
stitution flourishing 

"  Last  Wednesday  was  our  commencement.  The 
faculty  gave  me  the  third  honour.  As  a  class,  we 
were  highly  gratulated:  many  who  had  been  accus- 
tomed to  attend,  said,  that  this  excelled  any  previous 
commencement  in  interest  and  literary  development. 
I  do  not  know  but  the  theological  boys  who  are 
expected  to  hold  forth  next  August  will  fear  to  step 
on  the  stage,  lest  the  halo  of  glory  which  we  left 
over  and  around  it  will  eclipse  their  exhibition.  But 
I  know  they  will  make  a  good  display  of  theology, 
and  try  to  astound  and  astonish  us  by  giving  a  clear 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  63 

revelation  of  some  wonderful  mystery,  known  and 
comprehended  only  by  the  Infinite  mind.  I  pre- 
sume, seriously,  that  their  commencement  will  be 
an  interesting  and  profitable  season.  I  return  to 
Rahway  in  July,  if  the  Lord  will." 

«  Hamilton,  June  17,  1840. 
"My  Friend  and  Sister,  Mrs.  Ely, — 

"  I  gladly  comply  with  the  request  to  write  to 
you.     Since  I  have  learned  how  to  value  friendly 
intercourse,  nothing  affords  me  greater  pleasure  than 
to  exchange   thoughts  with  those  absent,  whom  I 
regard.     It  seems  that  this  alone  would  prove  the 
immortality  of  the  soul.     A  thought  from  a  distant 
friend  often  chases  clouds  from  the  mind,  and  causes 
the  bright  star  of  hope  to  beam  with  new  and  in- 
creased lustre,  giving  reanimation  and  intensity  to 
feelings  which,  but  a  moment  previous,  were  going 
down  with  the  current  of  despondency.     Not  only 
does  it  prove  immortality,  but  that  susceptibility  of 
high  social  and  moral  culture  which  our  infinitely 
wise  Creator  has  imparted  for  that  blessed  and  sanc- 
tified society  where  the  resplendent  beams  of  the 
Sun   of  Righteousness   are  never  intercepted,  and 
unalloyed  bliss  pervades  every  bosom  of  the  myriads 
who  are  '  kings  and  priests  unto  God,'  ransomed  by 
the  blood  of  the  Lamb.     Before  leaving  you  I  felt 
an  attachment  for  the  church  in  Rahway;  this,  of 
course,  ought  to  be,  else  I  could  do  them  no  good. 
But,  since  I  am  conscious  of  it,  I  am  very  anxious 
to  return.     It  seems  that  souls  are  there  committed 
to   my  care.     They  are  the  burden  of  my  heart 
Had  I  not  begun  to  study  the  German  language,  I 


64  MEMOIRS  OF 

would  see  you  within  two  weeks;  but,  as  it  is,  I  can- 
not until  July. 

"  My  return  from  your  place  lo  Hamilton  was 
pleasant  and  rapid.  Wednesday,  I  went  to  New 
York,  and  there  remained  until  Thursday,  five 
o'clock,  p.  M.,  when  I  took  boat,  and,  on  Friday 
morning,  at  five  o'clock,  I  found  myself  in  Albany, 
and  from  thence  I  took  the  cars  to  Utica,  and  at 
three,  reached  that  beautiful  place.  I  then  took  the 
stage  for  Hamilton,  and,  about  twelve  o'clock  at 
night,  I  discerned  the  beautiful  hill  on  which  stands 
our  seminary.  Every  thing  seemed  natural  and 
promised  much  interest,  but  I  was  wearied  exces- 
sively. 

"  The  next  Wednesday  occurred  our  commence- 
ment;  a  day  of  no  small   interest.     The   sky  was 
clear,  the  atmosphere  bland,  the  assembly  large,  at- 
tention good,  and  the  speakers  acquitted  themselves 
honourably.     It  brought  to  my  mind  many  things 
which   should  lead   me   near  the  throne,  for  now 
having  completed  my  course  of  study,  I  launch  out 
upon  the  wide  world,  to  sail  through  life  upon  its 
rough  surface.     .....     I  am  well  aware  that 

unless  I  have  the  Bible  for  my  guide,  and  the  star 
of  Bethlehem  for  my  point  of  compass,  I  cannot 
reach  the  haven  of  eternal  rest,  nor  conduct  others 
there.  How  important  then  that  I  be  in  the  right 
way.  Sometimes,  I  feel  so  deficient  and  unworthy 
the  notice  of  my  heavenly  Father,  that  I  am  ready 
to  despair.  But,  again,  I  hear  '  Go  ye,^  and  imme- 
diately I  feel  ^wo  is  me  if  I  preach  not  the  gospel.' 
I  am,  therefore,  resolved  to  try:  may  my  Lord  and 
Master  help  me. 


REV.  D.  II.  GILLETTE.  60 

"  1  should  be  happy  if  you  would  do  me  the  kind- 
ness to  write,  on  the  reception  of  this,  and  inform 
me  how  affairs  are  in  the  church. 

"  1  am,  with  much  affection,  yours  in  the  Lord, 

D.  H.  Gillette." 

MEMORANDUM. 

"Rahway,  N.  J.,  Aug.  4th,  1840. 

"Much  time  has  passed  since  my  last  record,  and 
some  of  it  1  fear  unimproved.  May  the  Lord  forgive 
my  sins,  correct  my  errors,  and  purify  my  heart  from 
all  corruption. 

"My  last  note  was  made  in  Sherburne,  in  the  state 
of  New  York,  where  I  was  labouring  on  Lord's 
days,  for  and  with  the  people  of  God.  Soon  after 
that  date  my  labours  with  them  closed,  and  I  again 
resumed  my  studies  at  Hamilton,  which  I  continued 
Until  April,  being  the  time  of  vacation.  I  then  left 
and  came  to  the  state  of  New  Jersey.  I  concluded 
to  labour  a  few  weeks,  while  the  vacation  should  last, 
with  the  church  in  Rahway,  about  twenty  miles  from 
New  York  city.  At  the  expiration  of  this  time,  they 
gave  me  a  call  to  become  their  pastor :  I  consented, 
on  condition  that  I  might  return  to  the  institution, 
and  complete  my  collegiate  course.  To  this  they 
agreed.  I  soon  left,  and  on  the  tenth  of  June  I  gra- 
duated from  the  collegiate  department  of  Hamilton 
Literary  and  Theological  Institution." 

In  the  foregoing  chapter  we  have  traced  our  young 

disciple  through  his  academic  and  collegiate  course, 

a  period,  as  all  can  testify  who  have  passed  the 

same,  fraught  with  more  temptations,  and  exposing 

7* 


B6  MEMOIRS  or 

the  student  to  severer  trials  of  his  fidelity  to  Christj 
than  almost  any  other  in  the  whole  course  of  ail 
ordinary  life.  It  is  due  to  the  institution  at  Hamil- 
ton, and  the  able  and  pious  faculty  there,  to  say,  that 
nothing;  which  they  can  do  to  diminish  temptation 
and  encourage  their  young  Christian  students,  is  left 
undone — and  we  are  confident  that  no  other  semi- 
nary or  college,  in  point  of  location  or  society,  pos- 
sesses fewer  incitements  to  evil,  or  so  many  to  the 
exercise  of  manly  virtue,  true  piety,  and  laudable 
ambition. 

In  this  heaven-founded  school  of  the  prophets,  we 
unhesitatingly  say — for  his  professors  and  classmates 
have  authorized  it,  as  did  his  evident  attainments 
and  future  course  of  life — Daniel  honoured  his  pro- 
fession as  a  Christian,  his  relation  to  his  honoured 
alma  mater,  his  subordination  to  the  able  professors 
at  whose  feet  he  profitably  and  delighted  sat,  and, 
what  is  no  small  praise,  he  was  an  honour  and  an 
advantage  to  his  associates  in  study. 

During  the  last  two  years  at  college  he  taught 
some,  and  supplied  with  preaching  and  considerable 
pastoral  labour,  the  church  in  Sherburne. 

He  shrank  from  no  work  in  college  which  would 
enable  him  to  meet  his  frugal  expenses,  necessarily 
incurred  in  making  preparation  for  that  great  work 
which  to  perform  well  was  all  his  ambition  and  all 
his  desire. 

Many  reasons  urged  him,  for  a  while  at  least,  to 
repose  from  the  confined  and  necessary  study  of  the 
institution.  He  resolved,  therefore,  to  look  over  the 
wide  field  of  usefulness,  and,  if  so  called,  settle  with 


UEV*  i>.  II.  GILLETTE.  67 

some  small  church,  do  the  duties  of  pastor,  and  lake 
the  two  years'  course  of  reading  which  was  pursued 
by  the  theological  class  at  the  institution.  A  course 
he  rigidly  followed  out,  after  his  settlement,  and  one 
which,  we  fear,  added  weight  to  those  combined 
causes  of  his  early  disease,  and  consequent  lamented 
death. 

The  following  oration  he  delivered  in  the  chapel 
of  the  institution,  at  the  close  of  his  senior  year. 

"  TRUE  GREATNESS. 

"  Greatness  is  the  object  of  man's  most  fervent 
aspii'ations.  But  there  is  a  wide  difference  between 
what  the  world  calls  greatness  and  that  taught  us  by 
Divine  inspiration.  Worldly  greatness  exhibits  evi- 
dent marks  of  depravity.  It  looks  with  a  jealous 
eye  on  the  spotless  form  of  Virtue,  and  has  laboured 
Unceasingly  to  rid  the  earth  of  her  glofy. 

"This  principle  is  of  ancient  date;  it  came  into 
existence  but  a  little  subsequent  to  the  morn  on 
which  creation  emerged  from  chaos,  and  is  nearly 
coeVal  with  mankind.  It  spread  its  blighting  influ- 
ence over  Eden,  and  deceived  its  inhabitants  with 
the  expectation  of  possessing  wisdom  equal  with 
God;  by  which  deception  they  took  from  their  own 
heads  the  crown  of  honour  and  placed  it  beneath 
their  rebellious  feet.  The  seeds  of  depravity  were 
now  sown,  they  struck  their  roots  deep  into  the  soil 
of  human  nature,  and  have  flourished  in  every  sub- 
sequent age.  Their  influence  nerved  the  aim  of  the 
first  murderer  and  prepared  him  for  the  horrid  deed, 
and  burning,  inexpressible  desires  to  gain  entire  as- 
cendency steeled   his   heart   against  all    sympathy. 


6B  M&MOIRS  OF 

Env}'-  and  revenge  instigated  him,  and  he  bathed  his 
hands  in  a  brother's  blood! 

"  From  the  time  of  this  scene,  the  same  spirit  with 
the  speed  of  lightning,  pervaded  the  whole  family 
of  man*     It  has  controlled  the  decisions  of  the  wise, 
swelled  the  strains  of  orators,  and  fanned  the  flame 
of  an  unholy  ambition  in  the  bosom  of  partisans;  it 
has  ascended  thrones,  swayed  the  sceptre  over  em- 
pires, and  made  nations  bow  in  visions  subservience 
to  kings.     It  has  entered  the  field  of  strife  and  war, 
influenced  the  hero's  heart,  and  inspired  him  with  a 
brutal  daring,  that  has  bid  defiance  to  danger  and 
death,     Alexander  imbibed  this  spirit  when  a  child, 
and   often    complained   lest  his   father's    conquests 
would  leave  nothing  for  him  to  do.     No  sooner  did 
he  come  upon  the  stage  of  action  than,  like  a  lion 
coming  from  the  swellings  of  Jordan,  he  began  his 
bold  march,  and  anon  he  had  crimsoned  the  earth 
with  the  blood  of  every  nation.     Greatness  was  his 
object,  and  now  he  beheld  from  an  eminence  the 
world  lying  vanquished  at  his  feet.     He  sat  upon 
the  pinnacle  of  Fame's  proud  temple,  and   bore  in 
his  hand   the  palm  of  victory:    yet,  in   despairing 
anguish,  he  wept,  because  he  could  not  grasp  ano- 
ther.    He  began  a  virtuous  youth,  but  he  died  a  dis- 
sipated and  an  abandoned  wretch;  because  he  sought 
not  true  greatness,  and  acted  as  if  he  were  inde- 
pendent of  its  source.     All  who  seek  it  thus, 
'  Seek  mellow  grapes  beneath  the  icy  pole, 
Seek  blooming  roses  on  the  cheek  of  death, 
Seek  substance  in  a  world  of  fleeting  shadows.* 
"  Herod  sought  greatness  in  the  abject  adorations 
of  the  subjects  of  his  government,  and  though  all 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  69 

proclaimed  that  he  was  no  man,  but  a  god,  yet  his 
glory  faded,  and  he  was  slain  by  the  greedy  worms, 
for  the  wrath  of  Heaven  was  against  him.  Satan, 
the  proud  angel,  sought  greatness,  and  would  have 
destroyed  Jehovah,  and  ruled  over  all  the  universe 
himself.  But,  with  irresistible  force,  he  was  arrested 
and  hurled  into  the  blackness  of  darkness  for  ever. 

"This  spirit  of  unholy  ambition,  however,  is  not 
confined  to  the  soldier  or  to  the  politician,  nor  to 
those  who  move  in  the  secular  walks  of  life.     It  has 
planted  its  standard  behind  the  sacred  desk,  and  in 
robes  of  holy  and  well-ordered  devotion  it  has  elo- 
quently preached  the  glorious  gospel  of  the  blessed 
God  at  home  and  to  people  of  other  lands,  professing 
no  motives  but  to  do  good  to  men  and  benefit  the 
world.     A  desire  for  vain  superiority  and  epheme- 
ral distinction  has  entered  within  college  walls,  and 
almost  against  his  will,  has  dragged 
'  The  stagnant,  dull,  predestinated  fool 
Through  learning's  halls,  and  made  him  labour  much 
Abortively;  though  sometimes  not  mispraised, 
He  left  the  sage's  chair,  and  home  returned, 
Making  his  simple  mother  think  that  she 
Had  borne  a  man.' 
*  The  man  of  science  to  the  shade  retired, 
And  laid  his  head  upon  his  hand,  in  mood 
Of  awful  thoughtfulness,  and  dived  and  dived 
Again ;  deeper  and  deeper  still,  to  sound 
The  cause  remote,  resolved,  before  he  died, 
To  make  some  grand  discovery,  by  which 
He  should  be  knovm  to  all  posterity.' 
«  Worldly  greatness  may  flatter  and  charm,  but  it 
is  a  delusion,  and  has  drawn  thousands,  whose  minds 
were  of  the  nobler  cast,  into  the  vortex  of  misery, 
disappointment,  and  wo. 


70  MEMOIRS    OF 

"There  is  that  which  Heaven  calls  greatness;  it 
is  not  found  in  the  vanities  of  earth,   therefore  it 
cannot  wear  the  sordid  garments  of  pride,  nor  dwell 
in  the  heart  of  a  tyrant.     True  greatness  will  abide 
the  scrutiny  of  Him  who  is  all  eye;   and  when  he 
shall  withdraw  the  cloud  that  surrounds  his  throne, 
the  blaze  will  not  consume  it.    The  greatest  man,  in 
one  sense,  is  least  of  all.     He  fears  not  the  tongue  of 
the  slanderer,  and  he  shuns  the  feet  of  the  scornful. 
Though  despised  by  the  proud,  yet  the  recording 
angel,   who   obeys  the .  will  of  Heaven,  writes  his 
name  in  living  characters  in  the  book  of  eternal  life. 
He  may  be  a  beggar,  and  lie  at  the  rich  man's  gate 
neglected;  but  he  will    eventually  wear   garments 
clean  and  white,  and  be  made  meet  to  be  a  partaker 
of  the  inheritance  of  the  saints  in  light.     A  great 
man  is  willingly  a  servant  of  others  for  their  good. 
Abraham  had  a  greater  regard  for  high  authority 
than  for  his  own  personal  comfort,  or  even  for  the 
posterity  and  life  of  his   son.     Who  could   tear  a 
tender  offspring  from  its  mother's  arms,  and  take 
from  his  own  bosom  also,  his  dearest  earthly  object? 
Who,  possessing  feelings  of  humanity,  could  offer  it 
a  sacrifice,  in  obedience  to  the  command  of  Heaven? 
He,  only,  who  could  offer  himself.    Few  have  drunk 
deeper  from  the  bitter  cup  of  self-denial  than  did 
this  good  patriarch;  and  all  who  would  be  truly  great 
must  take  to  their  lips  the  same  cup;  on  its  brim  he 
has  left  a  lingering  fragrance.     Moses  was  justly 
entitled  to  be  the  wearer  of  Egypt's  crown;  but  he 
dashed  it  from  his  manly  brow,  esteeming  the  re- 
proach of  Christ  greater  riches  than  all  the  trea- 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  71 

sures  of  Egypt.  Though  his  foes,  like  prowling 
tigers,  threatened  to  destroy  him,  yet  he  feared  not, 
for  the  arm  of  Omnipotence  was  his  strength,  and 
he  caused  them  to  flee  as  did  the  terrified  Philistines 
before  the  shepherd's  boy  of  Israel's  host,  whose 
strength  and  confidence  was  also  in  the  God  of  the 
faithful.  The  same  arm  immediately  caused  the  sea 
to  part  before  his  followers,  and  stand  up  as  walls 
for  their  protection:  to  his  famishing  host,  under 
God  it  unlocked  a  store -house  in  the  desert,  and 
unsealed  a  fountain  in  the  thirsty  wilderness.  Some 
think  themselves  honoured  to  see  those  who  are 
called  great  by  the  world,  but  Moses  talked  with 
God  on  the  mount,  which  shook  by  the  thunder  of 
his  voice,  and  was  enveloped  in  the  lightning  of  his 
glory.  He  entered  the  tabernacle,  the  audience- 
place  of  the  Most  High,  when  it  was  overshadowed 
by  his  broad-spreading  wings.  He  stood  near  the 
bush  which  blazed  with  the  presence  of  Jehovah, 
and  conversed  with  him.  No  tomb  or  sculptured 
marble  directs  the  inquiring  traveller  to  the  spot 
where  his  body  lies,  but  faith's  piercing  eye  sees  his 
soul  in  heavenly  glory.  When  an  infant,  he  was 
exposed  to  the  fury  of  the  elements,  but  now  he  sits 
in  the  regions  of  eternal  day,  crowned  with  unfading 
honour.  The  prophet  despised  the  idolatrous  king's 
decree,  and  his  unholy  audacity,  for  which  Jehovah 
closed  the  mouths  and  paralyzed  the  jaws  of  the 
hungry  lions.  The  three  children  of  the  covenant 
refused  to  worship  the  golden  image  of  paganism — 
their  holiness  being  from  God,  he  quenched  the  vio- 
lence of  fire,  and  gave  them  audience  with  the  King 


72  MEMOIRS  OF 

of  kings.  Elijah  regarded  that  honour  which  cometh 
from  above,  and  he  went  to  heaven  without  tasting 
death.  Enoch,  walking  with  God,  had  this  testi- 
mony, that  he  pleased  God,  and  he  was  not,  for  God 
took  him. 

"  A  greater  regard  for  earthly  honour  has  encou- 
raged and  strengthened  llie  martyr  to  meet  the 
wrath  of  his  foe,  and  to  feel  no  sting  in  death:  the 
same  led  the  inspired  apostle  to  say, '  I  am  ready  to 
be  offered;  the  time  of  my  departure  is  at  hand;  I 
liave  fought  the  good  fight,  I  have  kept  the  faith, 
henceforth  there  is  laid  up  for  me  a  crown  of  glory, 
which  the  Lord,  the  righteous  Judge,  will  give 
unto  me  in  that  day.'  Paul,  once  sat  in  the  halls 
of  human  learning;  but  he  has  lifted  the  veil  of 
the  inner  glory  and  heard  the  rustling  of  seraphs' 
wings;  he  listens  to  the  song  of  angels,  Stephen  was 
despised,  and  became  an  outcast  of  the  earth;  yet,  in 
death,  he  saw  the  heavens  part  like  a  cloud,  and  his 
Saviour  near  the  throne  ready  to  embrace  him. 

"The  philosopher  may  be  called  great,  yet  all  his 
greatness  will  burn  like  dross.  The  truly  great 
man  is  an  angel  in  embryo.  The  disciples  of  Christ 
called  him  Master  and  Lord,  and  they  did  well,  for 
so  he  was; — yet  He  could  wash  their  feet.  Christ 
died  loving  his  friends,  pitying  and  praying  for  his 
enemies;  and,  in  view  of  his  departing  glory,  the 
sun  veiled  his  face,  the  earth  quaked,  and  the  dead 
awoke.  He  who  was  God  became  man  that  we  who 
are  men  might  become  children  of  God. 

"The  great  man,  say.s  the  Bible,  'walks  with 
God,» 


RKV.   D.  II.  OILLETTK.  78 

'  Surveys  lar  on  the  endless  line  of  life — 

his  soul  thinks  on  eternitj', 

Both  worlds  considers,  and  provides  for  both. 
With  reason's  eye  his  passions  guard, 
Abstains  from  evil,  lives  on  hope — 
On  hope,  the  fruit  of  faith- 
Looks  upward,  and  purifies  his  soul. 
Expands  his  wings,  and  moiuifs  unto  the  skies, 
Passes  the  sun,  and  gains  his  Fatlier's  house, 
And  drinks  with  angels  at  the  fount  of  bliss,' " 


CHAPTER   V.       • 

OltDI  NATION,    SUCCESS,    ILLNESS,    RECOVER  V. 

The  following,  foimd  among  our  brother's  papers, 
may  with  propriety  be  inserted  here: — 

"Hamilton  Literary  and  Theological  Institution,  July,  1840. 
"This  certifies  that  the  bearer,  Mr.  Daniel  H.  Gil- 
lette, is  a  member  of  this  institution,  in  good  stand- 
ing, and  connected  with  the  senior  collegiate  class, 
with  which  he  has  recently  graduated,  and  that  he 
is  now  honourably  dismissed. 
"In  behalf  of  the  faculty. 

J.  F.  RicHARDsox,  Secretary.** 

Having  finished  his  studies  at  the  institution,  he 
was  about  to  enter  upon  duties  of  an  entirely  difle- 
rent  character.  Although  he  had  been  preaching 
occasionally  for  some  years,  in  connexion  with  his 

s 


74  MEMOIRS  OF 

studies,  and  had  supplied  different  churches — yet  to 
take  the  pastoral  care  of  a  church,  to  he  to  them  an 
under-shepherd,  and  a  spiritual  guide,  was  taking 
responsibilities  numerous  and  weighty,  concerning 
which  he  writes,  August,  1S40, — 

"In  the  second  week  of  July,  I 

returned  to  Rahway,  under  circumstances  quite 
favourable,  and  on  the  twenty-ninth  of  said  month 
the  church  called  me  to  ordination.  .  .  .  Now 
arrived  a  day  of  more  than  usual  interest.  The 
council  to  examine  me  was  very  respectable;  the 
assembly  large,  and  attentive.  After  examination 
the  council  resolved  to  ordain  me.  I  felt  that  I  was 
about  to  assume  responsibilities  weighty  and  fearful. 
In  the  afternoon  the  council  proceeded  to  ordina- 
tion. My  brother,  A.  D.  Gillette,  of  Philadelphia, 
preached  from  Acts,  twenty-sixth  chapter,  and  thirty- 
ninth  verse, — ^And  Paul  said,  I  would  to  God  that 
not  only  thou,  but  also  all  that  hear  me  this  day, 
loere  both  almost,  and  altogether  such  as  I  am,, 
except  these  bonds.''  I  do  not  know  that  I  ever 
felt  more  sensibly  the  need  of  deep-toned  piety  of 
heart,  and  entire  consecration  to  God.  On  the  Lord's 
day  following,  1  baptized,  in  this  beautiful  little 
river,  four  happy  convert?,  in  imitation  of  their  Lord 
and  my  Lord. 

"The  same  day  we  celebrated  the  Lord's  supper. 
My  brother  was  with  me.  It  was,  on  the  whole,  a 
delightful  day.  The  people  seemed  eager  to  hear 
the  word,  and  willing  to  listen.  0  that  the  Lord 
would  incline  their  hearts  to  love  the  truth  and 
hrino;  them  to  a  saving  knowledge  of  Christ  Jesus, 


Ri;V.   D.   H.   GILLE'lTE.  75 

"CERTIFICATE  OF  ORDINATION. 

"To  all  whom  it  may  concern — Be  it  known, 
that  by  the  request  of  the  Baptist  Church  of  Rahway, 
N.  J.,  delegates  from  the  following  named  churches. 
New  Brunswick,  Plainfield,  Scotch  Plains,  Samp- 
town,  Newark,  Lyon*s  Farms,  Piscataway,  Perth, 
Amboy,  Oliver  Street  and  Berean  Churches,  N.  Y., 
East  Church,  Brooklyn,  and  Eleventh  Church,  Phi- 
ladelphia, convened  in  council  at  Rahvvay,  on  the 
twenty-ninth  day  of  July,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord 
eighteen  hundred  and  forty.  After  due  examination 
of  Brother  Daniel  H.  Gillette,  as  to  his  call  to  the 
gospel  ministry,  and  being  fully  satisfied  as  to  his 
qualifications,  therefore  did,  by  the  imposition  of 
hands  and  prayer,  publicly  and  solemnly  ordain  him 
a  minister  of  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  to  the 
full  discharge  of  all  the  duties  thereof,  also  as  pastor 
of  the  Railway  Baptist  Church.     In  behalf  of  the 

council,  , .  ,        .  C  G.  S.  Webb,  Moderator, 

(Attest,;  ^g_  j^  Drake,  ClerkP 

"  0  Lord,  grant  me  thy  special  favour  in  this  new 
department  of  labour,  and  make  me  wise  that  I  may 
win  many  souls  unto  thee.  Make  me  very  hum- 
ble, and  forgive  all  my  sins,  0  Lord,  for  thy  Son's 
sake,  and  for  thine  own  glory,  and  lead  me  in  the 
way  everlasting.  Teach  me  to  number  my  days, 
that  I  may  apply  my  heart  unto  wisdom,  and  lead 
me  to  the  rock  that  is  higher  than  I.     Amen." 

His  encouragements  to  labour  in  this  delightful 
field  were  daily  urging  him  to  exertions  beyond 
what  his  constitution  would  bear. 

The  female  seminary  in  Rah  way  was,  at  this  time. 


76  MEMOIRS  OF 

in  a  very  flourishino;  condition.  Mr?.  Phelps,  the 
principal,  (now  of  Patapsco,  Maryland  Female  In- 
stitute,) made  application  to  him  to  assist  her.  After 
counselling  with  some  of  his  friends,  he  consented  to 
instruct  a  class  of  young  ladies  in  the  languages 
and  moral  philosophy,  which  occupied  about  three 
hours,  three  days  of  each  week.  Add  to  this  his 
ministerial  duties,  attending  funerals,  visiting  the 
sick,  Sic,  his  task  was  laborious  indeed.  The  church 
had  been, and  vvas  yet  dependent  upon  tlie  New  Jersey 
State  Convention  for  aid  in  its  support.  A  debt  rested 
upon  the  house.  Immediately  after  his  settlement,  he 
determined  that  the  church  should  not  only  sup- 
port itself,  but  throw  something  from  what  Provi- 
dence had  blessed  them  with  into  the  Lord's  trea- 
sury. And,  by  his  persevering  industry  in  this  work, 
he  succeeded,  after  the  first  year,  in  securing  them  in 
circumstances  lo  support  themselves,  and  to  pay  a 
small  sum  to  the  convention,  which  had  so  liberally 
assisted  them  while  in  want.  He  was  successful  in 
getting  about  one  half  of  their  heavy  debt  discharged, 
which  tells  much,  not  only  for  his  industry,  but  for 
the  benevolence  and  enterprise  of  the  people  with 
whom  he  laboured  in  the  Lord.  He  writes,  Sep- 
tember 7,  1840, — 

"  Affairs  in  the  church  are  quite  encouraging, 
although  no  special  revival.  It  is,  at  times,  a  mat- 
ter of  great  astonishment  to  me  that  people  can  be 
so  indifferent  about  judgment,  eternity,  and  God, 
while  they  are  so  repeatedly  warned  of  their  dan- 
ger, and  called  upon  in  numberless  ways  to  pre- 
pare to  meet  their  God.     Death  is  among  us,  mnrk- 


UEV.  D.  H.  OILLETTK.  77 

inghis  victims,  and  they  are  many.  The  first  week 
in  August  I  attended  two  funerals:  the  deceased 
were  children.  Last  week  I  attended  two  more;  one, 
a  child,  the  other,  a  young  married  woman.  You 
perceive  my  labours  are  quite  arduous;  but  0  how 
delightful  to  labour  for  God  S  I  lectured  at  both 
funerals  also  on  Wednesday  evening;  attended  Bible 
class  on  Thursday  evening,  visited  fourteen  families, 
performed  my  duties  as  teacher  in  the  Female  Insti- 
tute on  the  afternoon  of  three  days,  and  yesterday 
preached  three  times,  to  large  assemblies,  and  to-day 
I  feel  no  iiiconvenietice  from  those  duties. 

"  t  believe  it  not  only  true,  that  the  Lord  will  not 
leave  me  nor  forsake  me,  but  he  Vvill  also  help  me  to 
do  much  in  his  Cause,  and  that  too  with  great  de- 
light. 

"  There  are,  indeed,  losses  and  crosses  in  this  life, 
and  very  many  things  which  tend  greatly  to  discou- 
rage, but  when  we  look  to  the  Lord,  and  discover 
how  good  and  holy  he  is,  and  how  much  in  love  are 
all  his  dealings  with  us;  then  assuredly  these  trifles 
which  we  are  disposed  to  call,  at  times,  discourage- 
ments,  quickly  disappear,  and  we  are  lost  amidst 
the  multitude  of  mercies.  O  that  my  heart  may  feel 
more  sensibly  the  love  of  God,  that  while  labouring 
for'him,  and  for  the  good  of  souls,  I  may  throw  my- 
self at  his  feet  as  unworthy,  and  be  wholly  willing 
to  become  his  servant.  Lord,  purify  my  heart 
and  make  me  clean.  0  help  me,  that  the  flatteries 
of  men  may  not  lift  my  heart  with  vanity,  and  prove 
my  ruin.  0,  that  I  may  be  more  humble  and  con- 
8*. 


78  MEMOIRS  Of 

trite,  and  have  deeper  repentance  for  sin.  Fofgirc 
me  Lord,  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake.     Amen,"    .     w     . 

"September  14,  1S40.  Last  Lord's  day  I  had  con- 
siderable enjoymentof  mind  and  freedom  in  speaking, 
I  preached  twice  in  church,  and  at  half  past  four, 
p.  M.,  attended  a  funeral  up  town.  The  deceased 
was  a  child,  the  parents  not  religious.  Lord,  sanc- 
tify this  affliction  to  them,  and  make  it  a  savour 
of  life  unto  life.  I  feel  quite  too  languid.  Oh  for 
some  kindlings  of  soul,  and  more  ardent  desire  for 
the  salvation  of  sinners.  Grant  this,  gracious  Father 
and  Lord.     Amen." 

"September  24,  IS-IO. 

"  Last  Lord's  day,  two  o'clock,  p.  m,,  we  went 
down  by  the  river-side,  when  prayer  was  made,  and, 
in  the  presence  of  a  large  concourse,  I  baptized  five 
converts  to  Jesus  Christ  in  the  name  of  the  Father 
and  of  the  Son,  and   of  the   Holy  Ghost.     I   felt 
happy  in  the  Lord.  ...... 

After  which  we  repaired  to  the  meeting-house, 
which  was  crowded  with  anxious  spectators;  1  tried 
to  preach  to  them  from  these  words:  ^' How  long  halt 
ye  between  tioo  opinions?^'  My  mind  was  not  as  clear 
as  usual,  and  at  the  close  I  felt  quite  dissatisfied;  per- 
haps, however,  it  was  only  a  suggestion  of  the  adver- 
sary. 0,  that  I  may  be  kept  humble,  and  as  an  exem- 
plary Christian  shou'd,  so  live  that  I  may  preach 
by  example  as  well  as  by  precept.  I  fear  that  I  may 
lean  to  my  own  understanding,  and  neglect  God,  my 
maker.  Keep  me  at  thy  feet,  0  Lord,  and  never 
let  me  wander:  guide  me  in  ihe  way  everlasting,  and 
uphold  me  by  thy  free  Spirit." 


RkV.  ».  M.  OlLLBTTfc.  1f§ 

"October  29, 1840. 
"  1  changed  boarding  places.  1  left  for  necessary 
reasons.  I  have  been  very  happily  situated.  I  now 
board  in  a  pleasant  family.  I  am  in  good  health,  ex- 
cept a  slight  attack  of  the  influenza.  My  mind,  much 
of  the  time,  is  in  a  very  good  frame.  I  enjoy  the 
Work  of  preaching,  and  succeed  as!  well  as  could  be 
expected.  The  most  I  have  to  regret  is  that  1  am 
not  more  thankful  for  what  I  have  and  constantly  re^ 
ceive  from  my  heavenly  Father,  for  his  mercies  are 
new  every  morning  and  fresh  every  evening.  No-* 
thing  special  in  the  church,  except  that  there  is  a 
gradual  increase  of  members.  Last  Lord's  day  I 
baptized  one.  0,  that  hundreds  might  come  to  A 
knowledge  of  the  truth,  and  walk  in  the  same  way. 
I  have  baptized  ten,  all  of  whom  I  hope  will  shine  in 
heaven  for  ever.  0  Lord,  make  me  more  humble 
and  holy,  that  I  may  lead  many  souls  unto  thee,  and 
to  thy  name  shall  be  the  praise." 

Soon  after  this  date,  he  went  north  with  his 
mother,  who  had  been  staying  in  New  Jersey, 
among  her  friends,  a  number  of  months.  He  ac- 
companied her  to  Troy,  New  York,  and  saw  her 
safe  aboard  the  stage,  that  would  convey  her  in 
a  few  hours  to  the  door  of  her  oldest  daughter,  in 
Cambridge.  He  took  the  cars  for  Utica,  and  from 
thence  the  stage  to  Hamilton.  It  being  a  cold, 
damp,  stormy  night,  in  October,  and  having  the  in- 
fluenza previous  to  leaving,  he  was  not  in  a  con- 
dition to  endure  such  exposure.  He  soon  found 
that  he  had  taken  a  severe  cold ;  a  heavy  cough  en- 
sued, with  some  fever  and  nervous  affection.     Hi» 


80  MEMOIRS  Ol' 

stay  at  Hamilton  was  necessar*ily  short;  and  in  a  few 
days  he  returned  to  Rahv^^ay,  where,  by  taking  sim« 
pie  remedies  for  his  cough,  he  was  enabled  to  conti- 
nue his  labours  in  the  ministry,  but  not  without  much 
effort  and  inconvenience.  He  had  been  intending  to 
hold  a  succession  of  afternoon  and  evening  meetings 
with  his  people  as  soon  as  circumstances  would 
allow.  Accordingly,  he  engaged  the  assistance  of  his 
brother,  Walter  B.  Gillette,  and  commenced  the 
first  week  in  December,  and  continued  evenings  and 
afternoons  for  about  two  Weeks.  During  this  time  he 
was  able  to  preach  but  little.  After  the  close  of  the 
above-named  meetings  he  baptized  fourteen  converts. 
The  weather  was  extremely  cold,  and  he  very  feeble 
in  body,  yet  his  ambition  and  zeal  urged  him  in 
lecturing,  visitS)  and  studies,  beyond  what  his  strength 
was  able  to  bear.  On  Lord's  day  afternoon  he  re- 
turned to  the  meeting-house,  and  attempted  to 
preach  to  a  densely  crowded  assembly  ;'"but,  after 
speaking  a  few  moments,  he  was  obliged  to  desist. 
He  went  from  the  pulpit  to  his  bed ;  where  he  was 
confined  for  two  weeks.  He  was  so  feeble  in  body, 
and  his  lungs  were  so  affected,  that  it  was  thought 
by  his  physician  not  prudent  that  company  should 
be  permitted  to  see  him.  We  have  often  thought 
of  the  following  remark  made  by  his  faithful  and 
worthy  physician.  Dr.  L.  Drake,  during  this  his  first 
attack:  "He  may  recover  so  as  to  preach  again,  and 
may  live  some  years,  and  be  useful,  but  he  will  never 
be  a  sound  well  man."  This  prediction  has  proved 
true;  he  never  got  clear  of  that  distressing  cough, 
and  that  flush  which  then  settled  upon  the  cheek,  he 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  81 

carried  to  his  last  days.  Having  begun  to  amend,  he 
was  taken  to  his  brother  Walter's,  where  he  was 
retired  from  company  and  tarried  for  a  few  weeks, 
until  he  was  able  to  return  again  to  Rah  way,  and 
resume  his  duties  in  the  ministry. 

Respecting  this  sickness  he  writes  as  follows  : — 

"January  10,  J 841. 

"  How  frail  a  thing  is  man,  and  how  unable  to  keep 
his  own  body  from  disease  and  his  heart  from  evil, 
and  walk  in  all  the  ways  of  the  Lord  blameless!  By 
thy  grace,  0  Lord,  only  can  we  stand,  and  only  being 
guided  by  thy  Spirit,  can  we  do  that  which  is  right. 
I  find  that  my  path  is  thickly  beset  with  evils,  the 
enemy  tempts  on  every  hand:  alas,  hou'  prone  is 
this  wicked  heart  of  mine  to  yield. 

"I  ought  now  to  be  able  to  discover  a  large  growth 
in  grace  since  my  last  date,  but  I  fear  that  I  am  on  the 
retrograde,  am  losing  ground.  I  sometimes  think 
that  I  have  chosen  the  wrong  enterprise  by  engaging 
in  the  ministry:  such  is  my  unworthiness,  that  I 
wonder  why  God  works  by  me.  All  I  can  say  is, 
Send,  Lord,  by  whom  thou  wilt,  and  if  thou  wilt,  send 
by  me.  The  sickness  I  have  had  ought  to  humble 
me,  but  I  fear  it  has  not.  May  grace  humble  me. 
The  Lord  has  been  kind  and  merciful  to  me;  he  has 
blessed  my  dear  church  and  added  to  her  numbers. 
I  baptized  fourteen  in  December,  soon  after  which  I 
was  confined  by  ill  health,  and  was  unable  to  preach 
till  yesterday, — the  ninth  of  January, — 0  that  I  were 
free  from  all  sin,  and  holy  as  God  is  holy.  I  will,  by 
the  grace  of  God  assisting  me,  live  nearer  unto  him. 
1  will  try  and  be  more  like  Enoch,  '  walk  with  God.' 


82  MEMOIRS  OF 

0  Lord,  forgive  all  the  sins  I  this  clay  have  committeil 
in  word,  thought,  or  deed,  and  wash  me  in  the  blood 
of  thy  dear  Son.  Make  me  more  heavenly-minded, 
and  let  the  radiant  light  of  thy  throne  shine  into 
my  mind,  and  banish  hence  all  the  uiifruitt'iil  works 
of  darkness.  May  1  so  live  that  I  ma}'  be  always 
prepared  to  die.  I  beseech  thee,  0  Lord,  have  mercy, 
forgive  every  sin  and  save  me  at  last,  through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord. — Amen." 

Great  anxiety  was  felt  on  the  part  of  the  loving 
and  beloved  people  of  his  charge  during  his  sickness. 
A  large  number  had  recently  obtained  a  hope  in  the 
salvation  of  God  which  is  through  Jesus  Christ,  and 
a  number  of  anxious  souls  were  inquiring  the  way  to 
Zion.  With  this  state  of  things  in  the  church,  to  have 
the  shepherd  smitten  and  taken  from  the  flock  in  the 
midst  of  promising  usefulness,  rolled  upon  them  bur- 
dens and  responsibilities  which  they  had  not  expected 
and  felt  unable  to  bear.  Their  pastor  was  made  a 
subject  of  continued  and  special  prayer;  that  he 
might  be  again  restored  to  health  and  usefulness. 
God,  who  always  hears  prayer,  regarded  their  cry, 
and  sent  them  deliverance  in  restoring  him  to  a  par- 
tial state  of  health  sooner,  by  far,  than  his  friends  or 
even  his  physician  thought  probable.  The  anxiety 
of  his  people  met  with  corresponding  feeling  and 
anxieties  in  him,  as  may  be  seen  by  the  following 
letter  which  was  read  to  them,  and  tiie  congregation 
by  his  brother  Walter,  who  supplied  the  pulpit 
during  his  illness. 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  83 

"To  THE  DEAR  PeOPLE  OP  MY  ChARGE: 

"A  good  man  who  was  painfully  afflicted,  once 
said:  ^Jill  the  days  of  my  appointed  time  ivill  / 
wait,until  my  chancre  come?  These  words,  we  may 
very  justly  say,  imply  calm  resignation  to  all  the 
arrangements  of  Providence:  however  there  might 
have  been  strong  inclinations  in  his  heart  to  murmur, 
yet  he  had  so  great  deference  for  God,  that  he 
yielded  to  all  his  dealings,  without  an  opposing 
thought. 

"Another  holy  man,  in  giving  instructions  to 
Christians,  has  said,  '■Remember  the  patience  ofJohJ' 
These  are  expressions  which  demand  serious  atten- 
tion, and  which  if  duly  considered  cannot  fail  to  im- 
part solace  to  the  afflicted  saint.  Such,  my  brethren, 
I  trust  they  have  been  to  me. 

"At  the  first  of  my  illness  I  was  a  little  disposed 
to  disquietude,  and  hardly  knew  how  it  could  be  pos- 
sible for  me  to  remain  away  from  the  sanctuary,  and 
to  cease,  for  a  time,  to  preach  a  Saviour  who  had 
stooped  from  the  heavens  and  died  to  become  a  suf- 
ficient mediator  for  a  guilty  world.  But,  on  a  mo- 
ment's reflection,  it  occurred  to  me,  ^ It  is  the  Lord, 
who  doelh  all  things  well.''  I  need  not  give  you 
an  account  of  my  illness,  nor  of  its  nature,  which  you 
already  know  is  a  disease  of  the  lungs.  For  a  few 
days  I  was  much  inclined  to  think  that  I  had  preach- 
ed my  last  sermon,  and  would  never  again  stand  be- 
tween the  living  and  the  dead,  as  an  ambassador  for 
Christ.  And  what  I  felt  to  think  of  parting  with  my 
dear  people  so  soon,  with  whom  I  had  just  begun 
delightful    service,  and  where  the    Lord  had,  as  I 


84  MEMOIRS  OF 

thought,  given  me  some  testimony  that  he  approved 
of  my  services,  was  almost  overwhelming.  But 
when  I  examined  my  heart,  and  thought  myself  yet 
in  the  faith,  I  could  not  but  exclaim,  in  my  soul, 
''Nut  my  loill,  but  thine,  0  Lord!  be  done.'' 

"  I  feel  quite  happ)',  and  still  think  that  my 
Saviour  has  been  with  me.  I  suppose  that  I  am 
now  mending.  My  physician  has  been  attentive, 
cautious,  and  solicitous  for  my  welfare.  Other 
fri^ds,  also,  with  the  best  feelings,  have  extended 
their  helping  hands.  Nothing  has  been  wanting 
that  could  add  to  my  comfort,  and  after  a  few  weeks, 
by  the  will  of  my  heavenly  Father,  I  hope  to  ad- 
dress you  again  in  his  holy  name.  Now,  my  dear 
brethren,  while  1  am  absent  shall  I  hear  that  you 
leave  )'our  posts,  and  neglect  your  duties?  You  do 
know  and  I  wish  you  to  remember,  that  the  church 
is  not  under  a  worldly  policy,  and  therefore  may  the 
Lord  help  you  to  be  living  branches  grafted  into 
Christ  the  living  body.  Do  not  neglect  the  prayer 
meetings,  for  there  Jesus  deigns  to  show  his  smiling 
face.  You  who  have  been  some  time  in  the  vineyard 
are  expected  to  do  much,  and  1  doubt  not  will  feed 
the  lambs,  and  lead  them  into  green  pastures,  and 
down  by  the  pool  of  life.  Attend  to  the  Sabbath 
school,  and  do  not  neglect  little  children,  whom  Jesuu 
blessed,  but  {^q<\  them  with  the  milk  of  the  word. 
Suffer  me  to  say  a  word  to  those  young  disciples 
who  have  just  begun.  You  have  engaged  in  a  good 
cause,  the  angels  rejoiced  when  you  made  the  good 
resolution:  do  not  break  it,  but  be  faithful.  I  have 
thought  of  you  often:  yon  have  not  been  forgotten 


REV.  ».  H.  GILLETTE.  6S 

in  lYiy  prayers.  I  would  be  with  you,  but  the  Lord 
forbids.  Let  the  church  be  your  home,  and  make 
the  people  of  God  your  people,  and,  above  all,  grow 
in  grace  and  in  the  knowledge  of  Christ. 

"I  must  also  indulge  in  a  word  to  those  who  have 
been  accustomed  to  attend  my  ministr}'.  I  have 
thought  of  you  often,  and  while  I  had  feelings  of 
gratitude  for  your  close  attention,  I  was  led  to  ex- 
amine what  I  had  preached  to  you;  and  believe 
that  it  had  been  with  this  desire:  ^ Sanctify  them 
through,  thy  truth :  thy  loord  is  truth.'  If  I 
never  speak  to  you  again  Uhe  toords  of  this  life,'' 
do  not,  I  beg  of  you,  neglect  the  one  thing  need- 
ful, '  but  choose  that  good  part  that  shall  never 
be  taken  away  from  you.'  And  then,  if  we  meet 
no  more  on  earth,  1  hope  through  grace  to  meet  you 
where  parting  will  be  no  more.^ — Brethren,  be  much 
in  prayer,  and  when  at  the  throne  remember  me,  that 
I  may  be  restored  to  the  bosom  of  the  Church. 
"  Your  affectionate  pastor, 

D.  H.  Gillette." 

Having  recovered  from  his  illness,  he  was  quite 
successful  in  the  work  of  the  Lord,  both  in'  re- 
ceiving members  into  the  church,  and  in  giving  the 
denomination  character  in  Rah  way  and  the  sur- 
rounding community.  He  was  often  called  on  to 
preach  on  special  occasions,  and  among  other  deno- 
minations. On  the  fourth  of  July,  he  delivered  an 
oration  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Rahway.  That 
production  was  spoken  of  by  many  with  high  com- 
mendation. During  the  spring  months  he  was  much 
engaged  in  obtaining  money  to  liquidate  the  debt  of 
9 


86  MEMOIRS    OF 

the  church.  After  obtaining  what  he  could  at  Rah- 
way,  he  visited  the  neighbouring  churches.  Among 
these  his  urgent  appeals  met  with  good  success;  fo 
that  in  a  few  weeks,  he  returned  to  his  people  wiih 
money  enough  to  pay  half  of  what  they  owed. 
This  debt  had  been  the  occasion  of  anxiety  and 
many  fears  lest,  for  the  want  of  means,  the  candle- 
stick would  be  removed  out  of  its  place.  He  was 
released  from  this  only  that  he  might  enter  into 
another  laborious  enterprise.  Their  house  was  in 
need  of  paint  and  repairs  both  without  and  within, 
and  many  who  were  not  members  of  the  church 
were  willing  to  contribute  largely  to  do  this,  pro- 
vided the  interior  could  be  new*modelled  in  some 
particulars.  He  wrote  a  subscription,  and  in  a  few 
days  enough  was  pledged  to  pay  for  tiie  alterations. 
About  this  time  he  writes  as  follows. 

"August  10,  1841. 
"Since  my  last  the  scenes  through  which  I  have 
gone  have  been  diversified.  1  often  think  that  none 
are  called  to  encounter  so  great  and  severe  trials  as 
the  ambassadors  of  Christ.  Men  of  the  world  have 
therr  open  enemies,  but  Christians  must  contend  in 
secret  with  secret  foes,  who,  at  times,  seem  almost 
invincible.  Did  one  victory  suffice,  they  might  enjoy 
a  rest,  but  no  sooner  is  one  party  vanquished,  than 
a  mightier  re-enforcement  appears,  and  yet  wearied 
with  the  first,  the  second  conflict  seems  the  last  and 
the  one  in  which  we  must  be  overcome.  The  mi- 
nister takes  the  highest  place  in  the  field,  and,  like  a 
bold  leader,  there  he  must  stand  in  open  defence  of 
truth,  while  he  knows  that  many  return  nothing  but 
sneers  for  his  faithfulness, 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  87 

"But  what  am  I  saying?  Would  I  complain?  Nor 
Though  all  men  forsake,  I  will  not.  God  is  with  me, 
and  if  he  be  for  me,  who  can  effectually  be  against  me? 
In  the  ministry  of  the  word,  I  am  sure  that  God  has 
assisted  me  often,  for  I  have  enjoyed  much  freedom  of 
speech,  and  elevation  of  soul.  But  I  have  not  enjoy- 
ed as  much  of  the  uninterrupted  light  of  my  Father's 
countenance,  as  I  have  anxiously  desired:  yet  the 
fault  must  be  with  myself,  not  with  him.  Yester- 
day I,  with  my  brethren,  went  down  to  our  Jordan, 
in  whose  tide  1  buried  with  Christ  in  baptism  two 
subjects,  then  returned  to  the  house  and  preached 
from  the  latter  part  of  the  second  verse  of  the  fif- 
teenth chapter  of  second  Chronicles,  from  which 
my  own  soul  drew  much  consolation.  In  the  after- 
noon was  our  communion  season,  and  during  the 
whole  day,  I  felt  thai  God  was  with  me.  0  that 
he  may  always  be  with  and  sustain  me,  that  I  may 
offend  him  not,  but  enjoy  his  Holy  Spirit. 

"0  Lord  my  God,  the  heavens  and  the  earth  are 
thine;  I  am  thine,  and  I  know  that,  having  no  right 
to  my  own  services,  they  should  all  be  given  to  thee. 
Teach  me  thy  will  and  my  duty,  and  give  me 
strength  to  obey;  keep  me  back  from  secret  faults, 
preserve  me  from  presumptuous  sins,  and  by  thy 
grace  may  I  shun  every  appearance  of  evil." 

In  June  he  writes  thus,  to  his  brother  A. 

"  I  get  along  very  well,  being  a  bachelor,  and 
away  from  dear  friends;  except  when  ill,  or  on  a 
Sabbath  evening  after  having  passed  the  arduous  du- 
ties of  the  day,  then  I  feel  that  a  good  friend  of  my 
heart,  would  be  like  an  angel  of  love.     But   you 


88  MEMOIRS  or 

begin  to  say,  'Well,  I  guess  he  is  about  to  get  mar- 
ried.' Of  all  things,  I  want  a  wife  the  least,  and,  to 
be  honest,  marrying  was  never  more  remote  from 
my  feelings  and  plans.  A  sister,  mother,  or  a  bro- 
ther near,  would  be  a  blessing,  yet  people  urge  me 
to  marry,  and  perhaps  it  might  be  best.  But  the 
thought  sends  a  thrill  of  horror  through  my  soul. 
It  may  be  right,  after  all,  for  God  has  said  that  '  it  is 
not  good  for  a  man  to  be  alone;'  yet  I  am  alone,  and 
think  I  may  be  for  some  time.  I  am  not  engaged, 
neither  do  I  intend  to  be,  till  of  different  feelings  and 
views.  However,  this  is  a  subject  of  but  little  im- 
portance to  me  or  you  just  now,  therefore  I  will 
leave  it. 

"  My  health  and  prospects. — I  now  have  a  severe 
cough,  though  it  is  better  than  it  was  a  few  days 
since,  and  I  hope  soon  to  be  able  to  remove  it  alto- 
gether. I  have  no  reason  to  complain  of  the  Lord; 
he  has  been  very  good  to  me,  and  to  my  dear  flock. 
This  is  a  small  band:  nine  years  since  they  were  joined 
into  a  church  relationship  and  union,  with  no  pastor. 
They  built  a  good  and  roomy  house  for  worship, 
though  somewhat  in  debt.  They  soon  got  a  pastor, 
but  after  a  short  time  he  left.  Brother  Drake,  now  in 
Plainfield,  succeeded  him,  who  laboured  here  three 
years  with  success;  but  much  of  their  time  the 
dear  flock  was  without  a  shepherd.  I  began  in  July, 
1840,  and  since  then  God  has  looked  upon  us  with 
a  gracious  smile.  The  debt,  which  before  was  swell- 
ing by  interest,  we  have  reduced  one  half.  In  April, 
we  began  a  Sunday  school,  with  thirty  pupils,  and 
now  it  numbers  one  hundred  and  fifty,  and  I  have 


ttEV.  t).  M.  GlLLEttte.  89 

baptised  thirty-one  happily  converted  persons,  and 
We  expect  more  candidates  for  baptism  soon. 
"Yours  with  respectj 

D.  H.  Gillette." 

December  20th,  he  writes  :— 

"Nothing  could  be  doUe  by  a  people,  with  a  more 
^  spirited  design  to  make  itie  contented  and  useful 
than  is  done  by  this  little  church.  I  often  think 
that  many  of  them  would  take  bread  from  their 
mouths,  and  clothes  from  their  backs,  if  I  were  needy. 
1  have  never  suggested  a  thing  that  has  met  with 
the  least  opposition.  Some  of  the  members  and  hear-* 
ers  thought  that  our  meeting-house  should  be  Repair- 
ed, and  they  have  acted  accordingly.  They  have 
painted  the  seats  a  bright  pea  green,  with  mahogany 
book-boards.  The  old  pulpit  is  entirely  ousted,  and 
Its  place  is  supplied  with  the  neatest  and  most  con- 
venient one  I  have  ever  seen. 

January  1,  1843,  he  writes  as  follows:-^ 

"  0  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-one,  where  hast 
thou  gone?  Another  year  has  whirled  into  eternity, 
and  a  new  one  has  mounted  the  car  of  time.  One 
year  to-day,  the  cold  north  winds  blew,  the  snow  fell 
like  impenetrable  mist,  and  the  chill  frost  was 
withering.  Then  t  Was  ill,  the  Lord  had  justly 
and  kindly  afflicted  me.  But  this  day  has  been 
beautiful  and  mild,  dressed  in  the  gold  livery  of  a  day 
in  April,  and  I  have  been  blessed  with  tolerable 
health,  and  a  thousand  smiles  from  my  heavenly 
Father.  During  the  whole  past  year,  I  have  been 
the  subject  of  Unnumbered  blessings,  and  have  often 
felt  myself  totally  unworthy  of  the  least  of  them» 
9* 


i>0  MEMOIRS  OV 

I  have  laboured  to  promote  the  cause  of  my  He- 
deemer,  but  how  little  have  1  done.  I  am  strongly 
attached  to  my  church:  it  is  glued  to  my  heart,  and, 
at  times,  I  am  much  dejected  on  account  of  my 
health  and  the  low  state  of  piety.  The  feeling  in 
Zion  is  not  deep  enough  in  anxiety  for  the  salvation 
of  souls.  Though  I  have  baptized  many  the  past 
year  who  gave  evidence  of  piety,  and  whose  fruit 
yet  remains,  still  I  am  not  satisfied.  0,  that  hun- 
dreds more  might  come  to  the  fold  of  Christ.  We 
intend  to  hold  a  meeting  soon,  with  a  view  of  making 
special  efforts  for  the  conversion  of  precious  souls. 
May  the  Lord  be  with  us,  pardon  all  my  sins,  and 
help  me  to  live  to  his  glory.     Nomine  Jesu  Christi. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

SICKNESS-^VISIT  TO  PHILADELPHIA,  BALTIMORE,  WASttlJJG* 
TON,  CHARLOTTSVILLE,  VIRGINIA. 

Nothing  is  more  certain  to  mortals  than  disap^ 
pointment.  Our  brother  never  was  in  perfect  health 
after  his  f^^evere  attack  of  il'ness  in  Rahway.  At 
times  he  felt  quite  comfortable,  and  supposed  him- 
self well,  and  speaks  as  if  he  were.  We  who  knew 
him,  knew  his  health  and  life  were  exceedingly  pre* 
carious.  His  cough  was  severe  at  times,  and  yet 
some  weeks  it  would  almost  cease.  We  feared  the 
seeds  of  death  were  taking  deep  and  abiding  root  in 
his  frail  frame.  Time,  alas!  has  solemnly  confirmed 
our  fears. 


iitiV.  U»  H.  GlLLETtt;.  01 

111  January,  1842,  his  cough  became  suddenly 
alarming;  he  was  obliged  to  seize  hold  of  somefirm  ob* 
ject,  in  order  to  stand  during  its  racking  operations* 
A  sharp  pain  continued  under  his  left  arm,  and  in 
the  lower  part  of  his  chest;  but  he  continued  his 
pastoral  duties.  Many  desired  him  to  repose  for  a 
season — to  whom  his  uniform  reply  was,  he  could 
not  endure  the  sad  thought,  and  hoped  soon  to  be 
well  again. 

After  the  improvements  were  made  in  his  church, 
his  ardour  was  more  intense,  and  his  hearers  were 
multiplying  from  a  most  lovely  circle  of  the  com- 
munity. Converts  were  frequently  added  to  them. 
This,  and  a  desire  to  benefit  the  impenitent,  led  him 
into  efforts  beyond  what  his  strength  could  bear. 

Soon  it  was  evident,  tliat  his  work  in  this  field 
was  over.  From  it  he  was  obliged  to  retire:  reluctant 
indeed  he  was;  but  he  submitted,  and  although  not 
having  accomplished  half  he  wished,  yet  all  were 
amazed  at  his  success,  and  could  say  to  him,  with 
the  sweet  poet  Montgomery, 

"Servant  of  God,  well  done — 
Rest  from  thy  loved  employ." 

He  writes, 

"In  the  morning  of  the  first  Lord's  day  in  this 
year,  I  had  a  slight  hemorrhage  of  the  lungs,  which 
awoke  me  from  calm  sleep.  Not  being  alarmed,  I 
preached  twice  and  administered  the  Lord's  supper, 
with  much  enjoyment  to  myself,  and  1  hope  to  the 
good  of  others.  Such  was  the  state  of  devotion 
among  us,  that  we  wished  to  hold  a  series  of  meetings, 
fondly  anticipating  a  lovely  time.     Next  morning  I 


02  MEMOIRS  or 

was  attacked  much  more  severely:  bleeding  con- 
tinued half  an  hour,  which  was  repeated  seven  times 
in  five  days;  reducing  me  so,  that  I  could  only  ffpeak 
in  a  whisper.  My  physician,  friends,  and  myself 
considered  my  case  hopeless — but  Providence  or- 
dered it  otherwise.  Having  the  best  attentions,  I 
soon  improved,  and  in  four  Vv-eeks  I  could  walk  my 
foom  and  talk  a  little.  1  rode  to  brother  Walter's^ 
and  spent  three  weeks.  I  then  went  to  Philadelphia^ 
Baltimore,  Washington,  dnd  then  to  Chairlottsville^ 
Virginia.  1  gained  strength  by  the  journey,  and  was 
able  to  preach  occasionally.  So  protracted  is  my 
inability,  that  I  feel  it  my  duty  to  resign  my  Charge 
of  the  Rahvvay  church.'^ 

Immediately  after  his  severe  illness,  his  brothers 
W.  and  A.  were  sent  for,  but  such  was  his  weak- 
ness that  he  coilld  say  but  little.  W's  wife  re- 
mained some  time  administering  to  his  comf'ort;  and 
Mrs.  Ely  being  freed  from  the  cares  of  home,  con- 
tinued by  him  until  he  was  qUite  recovered.  We 
were  anxious  to  know  the  state  of  his  mind;  but 
gained  it  only  by  signs.  Since,  however,  his  letters 
have  amplified  upon  the  subject,  sufficient  to  satisfy 
the  most  prying,  into  such  sacred  emotions,  as  those 
which  a  dying  Christian  has^  when  looking  over 
Jordan,  and  longing  to  depart.  He  has  often  said, 
that  his  joy  and  peace  were  indescribable;  more  so 
than  he  had  supposed  was  possible  for  him  ever  to 
experience  on  earth.  " I  felt  a  settled  calmness  in 
my  mind  about  the  future.  I  had  no  choice,  and  was 
willing  the  Lord  should  dispose  of  me  as  would  be 
most  for  his  glory." 


REV.  I>.  H.  GILLETTE.  93 

But  as  returning  health  greeted  him,  his  wonted 
solicitude  for  Zion's  welfare  revived,  with  all  its  ab- 
sorbing weight  and  delightful  responsibilities.  When 
receiving  the  calls  of  his  brethren  in  his  room,  his 
inquiries  were  about  the  church — his  anxieties,  that 
the  congregation  should  be  kept  up — urging  them  to 
be  prompt  in  attendance  upon  their  social  meetings. 
He  entreated  them  not  to  be  disheartened  because 
their  under  shepherd  had  been  smitten,  but  be  there- 
by roused  to  more  vigorous  action  in  their  Saviour's 
cause.  Brethren,  he  would  feebly  say — "stand  to 
your  posts,  let  not  the  enemy  triumph — God  has 
much  people  here,  and  he  designs  you  shall  become 
an  influential  church.  If  I  never  preach  for  fyou 
again,  God  will  send  others  to  do  so,  with  equal  and 
far  greater  success  than  I  have  enjoyed." 

IMrs.  Ely  wrote  to  his  brother  A.  as  follows:- — 

"You  regretted  not  ascertaining  your  brother's 
feelings,  when  you  were  called  to  his-bedside.  I  will 
relate  some  things.  The  morning  he  was  taken,  he 
felt  that  he  could  not  long  survive — but  was  per- 
fectly composed,  and  said,  "If  it  was  the  Lord's  will, 
he  was  ready  to  die.  He  had  a  good  hope  through 
grace.  Death  had  no  terrors,  yet  when  he  thought 
of  his  friends — of  the  church — of  the  cause  of 
Christ — he  was  willing  to  live;  but  if  he  should  die 
bleeding,  he  could  say,  thy  will,  0  God!  be  done." 

He  writes  February,  1842. 

"I  am  able  to  write  to  you  with  my  own  hand, 
although  quite  feeble  and  scarcely  able  to  guide  my 
pen.  When  you  were  here,  I  did  not  expect  to  ever 
be  well  again ;  I  felt  so  four  or  five  days.     Yet  I  then 


94  MEMOIRS  OF 

had  joy.  I  never  before  knew  the  value  of  a  hope 
in  Christ.  Had  I  then  been  obliged  to  have  sued 
for  mercy,  I  believe  the  excitement  would  have  ag- 
gravated my  disease,  and  hastened  dissolution.  I 
have  pleasure  in  the  retrospect.  I  was  not,  nor  do 
1  now  feel  alarmed.  The  burden  of  my  prayer  is, 
calmly  and  cheerfull}'  to  submit  to  all  God's  plea- 
sure. At  first,  the  church  rested  heavily  upon  my 
mind.  But  when  I  thought  of  the  Saviour's  cheer- 
ing promise,  'Fear  not,  little  flock,  it  is  your  Fa- 
ther's good  pleasure  to  give  you  the  kingdom,'  1 
resigned  her  to  his  hands,  for  I  kncAv  he  was  able 
to  keep  her.  Friends  often  came  to  my  bed-side,  and 
asked  if  I  did  not  think  I  would  recover.  I  could 
not  give  them  a  definite  answer,  for  it  was  a  matter 
of  indifference,  so  fully  resigned  was  my  will  to  the 
will, of  Heaven.  I  knew,  if  I  was  a  child  of  God, 
I  should  rest  from  sorrow,  and  if  restored,  I  should 
be  exposed  to  the  evils  of  a  tempting  world.  I 
thought  I  knew  something  of  Paul's  feelings,  when 
he  said,  I  am  in  a  strait  betwixt  two,  having  a  desire 
to  depart,  and  be  with  Christ,  which  is  far  better. 
When  I  began  to  mend,  I  prayed  that  the  affliction 
might  be  sanctified  to  me;  and  now  feel,  that  if  I  am 
again  allowed  to  preach  Jesus,  I  can  set  forth  his 
goodness  from  the  fervour  of  my  own  experienced 
heart.  I  have  rode  out  twice,  and  endured  it  well. 
My  lungs  are  strengthening.  I  hope  by  spring  to 
be  able  to  preach." 

"  Philadelphia,  March,  1842. 

"Dear  Brother  Walter, — 

"You  doubtless  expect  a  letter  from  nie  soon  ;  and 


REV.  D.  II.  GILLETTE.  95 

of  coui'se  are  anxious  to  hear  respecting  my  health. 
I  had  a  pleasant  tour  to  the  city,  arrived  safely,  and 
not  more  fatigued  than  I  expected. 

"Since  here  I  have  felt  my  wonted  strength  return- 
ing. I  hope,  and  even  believe,  that  I  may  again  en- 
joy perfect  health.  I  do  not  expect  it  Immediately. 
But  being  partially  restored,  I  have  an  increased 
anxiety  to  be  well  at  once,  and  enter  again  the 
sphere  of  labour,  which  is  my  joy  and  delight,  preach- 
ing to  immortals  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ. 

"  I  constantly  have  something  to  remind  me  of  my 
weakness.  Last  week  I  suffered  much  from  pain 
in  the  left  side,  which  gave  me  reason  for  some 
alarm,  and  1  could  not  easily  suppress  my  feelings. 
My  lungs  were  also  much  affected,  and  at  times  I 
was  about  to  decide  that  I  should  never  become  well 
again ;  but  to-day  1  feel  like  another  man,  those 
pains  have  nearly  all  left  me.  I  am  disposed  to  at- 
tribute my  sufferings  in  part  to  the  very  unpleasant 
and  damp  weather  of  last  week. 

"  This  has  been  a  fine  day,  and  I  have  been  much 
disposed  to  elevate  my  spirits,  and  sing  with  the 
birds  that  rest  upon  the  wing,  and  so  sweetly  lift 
their  notes  of  melody  and  praise. 

"I  do  not  know  how  soon  I  shall  go  south,  though 
I  now  think  of  starting  next  week;  however,  it  will 
depend  much  upon  the  state  and  temperature  of  the 
weather.  I  am  now  very  certain  that  I  shall  not  be 
able  to  preach  at  all  sooner  than  May,  if  then,  or  if 
ever;  but  1  trust  in  the  Lord,  and  use  the  means 
given  me  for  improvement.  I  wish  you  to  continue 
to  preach  for  my  people  until  May,  and  then,  should 


96  MKMOIRS  OF 

I  not  be  able  to  resume  the  care  of  the  church,  we 
will  make  further  arrangements. 

"I  feel  exceedingly  anxious  for  the  church  and 
people  of  Rahway;  it  is  very  near  my  heart,  but 
whether  I  shall  labour  with  them  again  or  not,  God 
only  knows,  they  are  all  in  the  hands  of  a  holy,  wise, 
and  a  just  Being,  I  should  like  to  have  you  write  to 
me  all  about  the  church,  how  they  get  along  and 
prosper.  I  hope  that  God  may  bless  your  preach- 
ing to  them,  that  he  will  revive  his  Spirit  in  their 
.souls,  and  through  you  bring  sinners  to  repentance, 
and  to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth.  I  should  be  happy 
to  spend  a  Lord's  day  with  you  there,  but  I  think 
this  climate  better  for  me  at  present.  Fruit  trees 
are  here  in  full  bloom,  and  when  summer  arrives,  I 
shall  enjoy  it  much,  by  the  Divine  blessing. 

"Brother  has  a  pleasant  season  in  his  church,  just 
now:  about  fifty  have  been  converted  hopefully  within 
a  few  months:  yesterday  he  baptized  twenty  in  the 
presence  of  a  large  congregation. 

"You  sliall  hear  from  me  again  soon,  I  have  not 
felt  so  well  since  I  was  first  taken  as  I  do  to-day, 
you  may  tell  the  church  how  I  am,  and  also  inform 
them  that  they  are  not  forgotten  in  my  prayers,  and 
I  trust  that  they  do  not  forget  their  afflicted  Pastor. 
My  hope  is,  that  eacli  one  will  do  his  duty  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  church  of  God.  They  will  not  regret, 
when  on  a  dj'ing  bed,  that  they  have  been  devoted 
and  faithful.  I  wish  to  be  remembered  by  them  all, 
and  my  earnest  prayer  is  that  a  blessing  may  rest 
upon  both  chuH'ch  and  congregation. 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  97 

We  here  give  a  sketch  from  the  worthy  Postor  of 
the  Rahvvay  Church. 

"Railway,  August.  18'!'). 

"Dear  Brother  Gillette, — 

"The  church  appointed  a  committee  of  three,  con- 
sisting of  Deacons  Cole,  Decker  and  Noe,  to  collect 
and  forward  such  intelligence  as  they  were  possessed 
of  concerning  your  brother's  devoted  and  successful 
labours  among  them. 

"The  proposition  meets  with  universal  favour, 
— as  a  church,  we  have  taken  no  formal  vote  upon 
the  subject;  but  every  one  with  whom  I  have  con- 
versed regards  it  with  approbation,  and  I  doulit  not 
that  the  "  memoir,"  when  published,  will  be  hailed 
by  very  many  here  as  a  most  acceptable  memento 
of  one,  of  whom  it  is  universally  said — 

'  None  knew  him,  but  to  love  him, 
None  named  him,  but  to  praise.' 

"In  the  spring  of  1S40,  the  Baptist  church  at  Rah- 
way  being  destitute  of  a  pastor.  Brother  Daniel  H. 
Gillette  then  pursuing  the  studies  of  the  senior  year 
at  the  Hamilton  Literary  and  Theological  Seminary, 
preached  before  them,  not  as  a  candidate  for  the  pas- 
toral charge;  but  the  church  and  congregation  were  so 
much  pleased  with  the  manner  in  which  the  services 
of  the  day  had  been  performed  that  he  was  earnestly 
requested  to  spend  with  them  the  vacation.  With 
this  desire  he  complied,  and  so  general  was  their 
satisfaction,  that  he  almost  immediately  received  a 
unanimous  call  to  the  pastoral  care  of  that  people. 
That  call  he  accepted,  and  after  graduating  he  was 
ordained. 
10 


98  MEMOIRS  OF 

"At  that  time  the  church  was  in  an  unprosperous 
condition.  Their  house  of  worship,  which  was  new 
and  commodious,  was  encumbered  by  a  considerable 
debt — the  church  was  weak  in  numbers  and  deficient 
in  resources,  being  partially  dependent  upon  the  New 
Jersey  State  Convention,  for  the  means  necessary  to 
sustain  the  preaching  of  the  word  among  them — but 
scarcely  had  the  newly  elected  pastor  entered  upon 
the  regular  discharge  of  his  ministerial  duties,  ere  a 
manifest  and  decided  improvement  was  visible.  The 
services  of  the  sanctuary,  which  in  former  days  had 
been  but  thinly  attended,  were  now  participated  in 
by  crowds  of  interested  auditors,  until  at  length  the 
house  was  not  large  enough  to  contain  those  who 
sought  to  worship  there.  Nor  was  his  usefulness 
limited  to  the  mere  increase  of  the  congregation — the 
Gospel  as  proclaimed  by  him  came  in  "demon- 
stration of  the  Spirit,  and  in  power."  The  mem- 
bers of  the  church  were  refreshed  and  strengthened, 
while  sinners  were  arouseil,  convinced  and  saved, 
and  the  church  witnessed  in  his  success  and  prudence 
the  wisdom  of  their  choice,  as  they  also  did  in  the 
constant  increase  of  their  spiritual  and  temporal 
prosperity.  Rut  neither  the  usefulness  nor  influence 
of  Brother  Gillette  was  confined  to  the  pulpit — if 
there,  by  the  highly  acceptable  character  of  his  public 
ministrations,  he  wielded  influence  and  secured  es- 
teem, so  also  in  private  life — mingling  with  the  peo- 
ple of  his  charge,  or  with  the  community  in  which 
he  lived,  his  refinement  of  feeling,  the  kindness  of  his 
disposition  and  the  gentleness  of  his  manners  secured 
for  him  affectionate  regard,  and  it  is  not  too  much 
to  say  that  he  was  universally  beloved. 


REV,  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  99 

"As  at  the  lime  he  entered  upon  the  charge  of  the 
church  it  was  embarrassed  by  a  heavy  debt;  to  liqui- 
date this  was  his  earnest  desire,  a^id  for  the  attainment 
of  this  end,  he  laboured  long  and  zealously,  and  with 
such  success  that  in  the  course  of  about  one  year, 
one  half  of  the  full  amount  had  been  paid,  while  dur- 
ing the  same  time  several  hundred  dollars  were  ex- 
pended in  increasing  the  accommodations  and  the 
beauty  of  the  house  of  .worship,  but  here  a  sudden 
and  unexpected  stop  was  put  to  his  activity.  His 
health,  which  at  no  period  during  his  residence  at 
Rahway  had  been  rolDust,  became  seriously  impair- 
ed ;  he  was  attacked  by  a  severe  cold  and  hemorrhage 
from  the  lungs,  which  completely  prostrated  his 
strength  and  brought  him  to  the  verge  of  the  eternal 
world.  During  this  illness,  which  was  protracted, 
he  manifested  the  influence  upon  his  own  heart  of 
those  doctrines  which  he  had  taught.  His  pains, 
which  were  oftentimes  severe,  drew  no  murmur 
from  his  lips,  and  amid  the  sufferings  that  marked 
a  portion  of  his  illness,  as  well  as  throughout  the 
feebleness  and  lassitude  that  attended  a  long  and 
tedious  convalescence,  he  ever  displayed  a  spirit  of 
cheerful  resignation.  He  partially  recovered,  and 
resumed  the  duties  of  his  ministerial  office,  but  it 
was  evident  to  all  that  the  shock  had  been  too 
great  for  a  constitution  before  delicate.  It  was  now 
shattered,  and  subsequent  events  have  shown,  what 
many  others  fearfully  supposed,  that  when  he  came 
forth  from  his  sick  chamber,  he  came  with  the  seeds 
of  early  death  within  hisjframe.  He  continued  their 
pastor  until  the  month  of  May,  1842,  when  finding 


100  MEMOIRS  OF 

his  slren2;t!i  inadequate  to  the  arduous  and  respon- 
sible labours  required,  he  tendered  his  resignation  to 
the  people  of  his  charge.  It  was  reluctantly  ac- 
cepted, accepted  with  a  deep  regret  that  considera- 
tions of  health — nay  of  life  itself  had  rendered  it  im- 
perative. And  when  Bro.  Gillette  departed  he  left 
behind  him  a  church  each  member  of  which,  while 
tiiey  revered  him  as  a  pastor,  loved  him  as  a  friend,  a 
brother — and  a  community  that  bore  for  him  a  deep 
affection,  and  it  will  be  long  before  his  remembrance 
will  be  lost  to  those  by  whom  the  influence  of  his 
talents  and  his  virtues  have  been  felt  so  deeply.  It 
is  but  proper  to  remark  that  he  left  the  church  in  a 
prosperous  condition,  able  to  sustain  the  ordinances 
of  the  gospel  without  extraneous  aid,  and  in  their 
improved  condition  the  influence  of  his  labours 
amongst  them  is,  and  will  long  continue  to  be  felt. 

William  Rollinson." 

"Charlottsville,  Virginia,  April,  1842. 
"  Dkar  Mits.  Ely, — 

'^  i3efore  this  time,  I  should  have  written,  and  would 
have  well  answered  my  feelings  in  so  doing,  for  none 
but  myself  knows  the  high  regard  and  affection  I 
have  for  you.  The  principal  reason  why  I  have  so 
long  delayed  is  that  I  have  been  in  no  place  since 
leaving  Pliiladelphia  long  enough,  and  here  I  have 
been  bul  a  short  time.  Since  seeing  you  I  have  been 
on  the  wing,  and  much  of  the  time  borne  rapidly 
along,  though  I  have  not  been  urged  on  because  ol 
necessity,  except  the  improvement  of  health. 

*•  I  havu  seen  much,  possessing  the  deepest  and 
liveliest  interest.  I  am  about  four  hundred  miles 
from  you,  and  thus  far  I  have  found  the  journey  use- 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  101 

ful.  As  I  left  Philadelphia,  I  made  some  stop  in 
Baltimore,  and  with  Judge  Phelps  of  the  Patapsco 
Institute  for  young  ladies,  twelve  miles  distant.  On 
account  of  a  storm,  I  was  delayed  longer  than  I  de- 
sired, though,  as  elsewhere,  I  found  kind  and  sym- 
pathizing friends,  who  did  all  in  their  power  to  make 
me  comfortable  and  happy.  I  went  to  Washington, 
spent  two  nights  and  one  day  with  advantage  and 
pleasure,  for  congress  and  the  senate  were  in  ses- 
sion. Thence  I  took  the  steam-boat  down  the  Po- 
tomac, and  had  for  a  companion  in  travel  the  Nesto- 
rian  Bishop,  late  from  Persia,  of  whom  you  have 
heard.  He  was  in  his  native  costume;  the  large  tur- 
ban, long  loose  gown,  and  beard  never  shaved.  He 
excited  much  attention,  but  was  simple  and  affable  in 
his  manners,  and  seemed  to  possess  deep-toned  piety. 

"The  boat  carried  us  about  sixty  miles,  then  we 
took  stage-coach  nine  miles,  then  the  cars  about  a 
hundred,  and  then  the  stage  again  about  twenty  to 
Charlottsville,  Virginia. 

"  On  last  Saturday  I  arrived.  This  is  the  most 
delightful  country  I  ever  saw.  There  is  much 
connected  with  this  town  to  make  it  hallowed. 
About  two  miles  on  the  one  side  is  the  celebrated 
Monticello,  the  lofty  hill  upon  which  stands  Presi- 
dent Jefferson's  mansion,  where  he  died,  and  where 
is  his  tomb;  on  the  other  side  is  the  flourishing 
university  founded  by  this  noble  patriot.  The 
citizens  here,  in  kindness  and  hospitality  excel  any 
I  ever  saw.  I  had  only  to  tell  them  my  name,  when 
I  was  kindly  received  with  a  hearty  welcome,  and 
they  spare  no  pains  to  make  me  happy.  They  are 
10* 


1  02  MEMOIRS  OF 

(jiiitc  iiroeiit  to  keep  me  two  months.  The  country 
is  very  hilly,  but  beautiful  and  healthy.  The  Bap- 
tist is  the  strongest  society,  the  largest  number,  and 
the  most  wealthy,  and  they  have  a  pleasant  and 
worthy  man  for  their  pastor,  Rev.  Isaac  Tinsley. 

"Ere  you  get  this, you  will  learn  that  I  have  sent 
my  resignation  to  Rahway.  I  felt  it  my  duty  thus 
to  do,  for  my  health  will  not  allow  my  entering 
upon  pastoral  labours,  and  I  could  not  be  willing  to 
keep  them  in  suspense.  I  think  the  Lord  directed 
me.  I  hope  he  will  give  you  all  grace  to  do  his  will 
respecting  it.  I  have  not  lost  my  attachment  for  the 
church:  no,  it  was  a  great  struggle  with  my  feelings 
to  make  the  decision;  but  I  believe  I  have  done 
right,  and  I  hope  I  shall  be  succeeded  by  a  man  after 
God's  own  heart,  who  will  more  than  make  my 
place  good,  I  can  never  cease  to  pray  for  you.  I 
rejoice  in  your  prosperity,  and  if  the  Lord  will,  I 
shall  visit  you  in  the  summer.  I  have  not  been  called 
to  any  church,  but  several  have  asked  me  if  I  would 
settle;  but  my  health  will  not  allow  it.  I  do  not 
design  to  act  as  pastor  the  present  summer.  My 
health  improves,  and  I  hope  soon  to  recover.  My 
visit  south  has  done  me  good. 

"Religion  in  these  parts  is  very  low,  though  the 
Baptists  are  numerous  and  wealthy,  comprising  the 
better  part  of  citizens.  You  don't  know  how  much 
and  how  often  I  think  of  you.  Your  kind  attention 
to  me  when  I  was  ill  I  can  never  forget,  neither  can 
I  repay  it.  I  love  you  as  a  sister  and  a  mother. 
Do  not  forget  me  at  the  throne  of  grace.  Yours 
obediently,  D.  H.  Gillette." 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  103 

The  following  was  written  while  he  was  on  a 
visit,  by  request  of  the  church  in 

"Danbury,  Conn,,  May  11th,  1842. 
"Dear  Brother  Walter, 

"It  may  seem  that  I  have  neglected  you, but  such 
has  been  my  situation,  that  I  could  not  w^ell  let  you 
hear  from  me  oftener  than  you  have. 

"I  spent  one  month  in  Philadelphia,  thence  I 
went  to  Baltimore,  from  which  place  I  wrote  to 
you.  Thence  I  proceeded  to  Virginia,  where  I 
spent  a  few  weeks,  as  you  have  heard;  though  I  did 
not  write  you  direct.  All  this  time  I  felt  myself 
improving  in  health,  and  have  much  reason  for  gra- 
titude. God  has  been  pleased  to  restore  me  to  such 
health  as  I  now  enjoy.  Though  I  am  by  no  means 
well,  and  know  not  that  I  ever  shall  be;  yet  1  fondly 
hope  to  be  restored  and  spend  my  life  in  the  cause 
of  the  Redeemer.  I  am  not  able  to  preach  regularly, 
and  do  not  think  it  my  duty  to  resume  pastoral  la- 
bour this  season;  indeed  I  hardly  think  I  could  with- 
out great  injury  to  myself.  I  have  heard  that  some 
in  Rahway  have  complained  because  I  resigned, 
I  hope  they  will  bear  in  mind  that  I  told  them  I 
should  resign  my  charge,  if  1  was  not  able  to  resume 
my  labours  by  the  first  of  May.  I  would  have  re- 
signed before,  but  they  were  unwilling.  I  think  I 
have  said  and  done  enough  to  convince  them  that 
they  above  all  people  were  dear  to  me :  it  pained  my 
heart  to  leave  them ;  and  to  think  of  settling  with 
others  is  no  pleasurable  task.  1  have  been  often  in- 
vited to  visit  this  people;  they  have  wished  me  to 
settle  with  them,  and  labour  as  my  health  would  al- 


i04  MEH0IR9  OF 

low,  but  it  requires  a  warmer  climate.  I  feel  in- 
clined to  return  to  Virginia  in  the  fall,  but  I  leave 
all  this  with  God.  This  is  a  beautiful  town,  a  good 
church;  strong  and  wealthy;  they  have  an  elegant 
parsonage,  and  they  offer  me  a  salary  of  five  hun- 
dred dollars;  but  vi^hat  is  all  this?  it  does  not  move 
me;  for  without  health  I  never  expect  to  be  happy 
or  useful  in  any  place.  I  think  much  of  the  dear 
church  in  Rahway,  and  I  hope  to  see  them  soon.  I 
can  preach  occasionally,  though  not  with  my  accus- 
tomed vigour;  however,  I  am  much  improved.  I 
hope  soon  to  see  you.  As  a  brother  I  love  you  ^ 
you  have  shown  yourself  kind  to  me,  for  which  I  am 
very  thankful,  and  wish  I  could  express  to  you  my 
gratitude.  I  think  now  of  spending  part  of  the 
summer  among  my  friends;  it  would  afford  me  plea- 
sure to  be  much  with  you,  it  would  do  me  good  to 
assist  in  working  your  parsonage,  which  I  will  cheer- 
fully do.  I  have  not  heard  who  the  church  in  Rah- 
way have  as  supply.  I  am  willing  to  give  them 
any  assistance  1  can,  for  my  heart  is  with  them,  and 
I  earnestly  pray  for  their  prosperity. 

"Give  my  love  to  all  the  friends,  especially  I  would 
be  remembered  to  sister  Sarah  Ann:  she  may  be  as- 
sured that  I  love  her  with  a  brother's  affection.  I 
cannot  otherwise  requite  her  regard  for,  and  kind, 
deep-felt  attention  to  me.  I  hope  to  see  you  soon, 
May  the  Lord  be  with  you.     Yours  affectionately, 

D.  H.  Gillette." 

MEMORANDUM. 

"My  residence  is  now  one  hundred  miles  from 
where  it  was  when  I  made  the  last  entry. 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  105 

"  Having  been  invited  to  visit  the  church  in  Dan- 
bury,  Connecticut;  I  accordingly  came  and  preached 
on  the  second  Sabbath  in  May.  I  spent  three  weeks 
with  them.  On  the  third  they  tendered  to  me  an 
affectionate  and  unanimous  call  to  become  their  pas- 
tor. I  returned  to  N.  J.,  but  having  also  been  in- 
vited by  the  church  at  Charlottsville,  Virginia,  it 
required  some  time  to  decide  which  place  I  should 
choose.  Finally  I  decided  to  come  here,  and  yes- 
terday became  pastor  of  the  church.  In  the  A.  m. 
I  preached  from  1  Corinthians  ix.  12,  "  Lest  we 
should  hinder  the  gospel  of  Christ." 

"This  church  has  received  me  with  much  warm 
affection.  I  am  not  entirely  well,  yet  they  exercise 
much  sympathy  for  me,  and  I  begin  to  feel  quite 
happy  with  them.  0,  that  God  may  sanctify  the 
union,  and  may  it  please  him  to  give  me  once  more 
sound  health  and  enable  me  to  preach  the  word  faith- 
fully and  with  great  success.  I  pray  God  to  help 
me  in  this  new  field  of  labour;  his  grace  is  sufficient 
for  me.  I  hope  I  may  enjoy  much  religion,  with 
good  health ;  preach  the  gospel  with  great  power, 
and  win  many  souls  to  Christ. 

"0  God!  be  thou  my  strength  and  wisdom,  and 
keep  me  from  the  evils  that  are  in  the  world,  guide 
me  in  the  right  way,  and  keep  me  from  falling,  and 
my  steps  from  sliding,  that  I  may  live  and  labour 
for  thy  praise,  and  be  saved  at  last:  thine  shall  be  all 
the  glory.     Amen." 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  call  of  the  church 
at  Danhury. 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  Baptist  church  at  Danbury, 


106  MEMOIRS  OF 

Connecticut,  held   May  22cl,  1842,  it  was    unani- 
mously— 

"Resolved,  that  we  tender  to  our  esteemed  brother, 
the  Rev.  D.  H.  Gillette,  late  of  Rahway,  N.  J.,  a 
call  to  become  our  Pastor.  The  vote  was  heartily 
responded  to  by  every  member  present. 

"Resolved,  that  we  will  give  to  brother  Gillette  the 
sum  of  five  hundred  dollars,  with  the  use  of  the  par- 
sonage, house  and  premises. 

"  It  was  also  resolved,  that  we  will  pay  promptly 
the  salary  at  the  expiration  of  every  three  months. 
We  will  also  strive  by  our  prayers,  and  mutual  co- 
operation, to  encourage  our  pastor  in  his  labours  of 
love  among  us;  that  the  pleasure  of  the  Lord  may 
prosper  in  his  hands. 

"It  is  expected  also  that-  brother  Gillette  shall  re- 
ceive the  avails  of  the  subscription,  though  a  sum  ex- 
ceeding five  hundred  dollars  should  be  collected. 

"By  order  and  in  behalf  of  the  church — 

W.  A.  Crocker,  Ch.  Clerk." 

"Danbury,  Lord's  day,  June  5lh,  1842." 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  letter  received  from 
brother  Gillette,  in  reply  to  the  call,  which  was 
read  to  the  church. 

"Plainfield,  June2,  1842. 
"To  the  Baptist  Church,  Danbury,  Conn.: — 

"Dear  Brethren, — In  reply  to  the  call  you  tendered 
me  on  the  22d  of  May,  1842,  in  which  I  was  cordially 
and  unanimously  invited  to  become  your  pastor  and 
minister  of  the  word  of  life,  accept  the  following  ad- 
dress, in  the  love  and  fear  of  the  Lord.  I  hope  that  a 
deep  sense  of  duty,  and  a  love  for  the  service  of  God, 


RKV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  107 

with  an  ardent  desire  for  the  salvation  o^ souls,  alone 
induce  me  to  the  decision.  I  have  carefully  con- 
sidered all  things  ao  far  as  possible,  and  relying  im- 
plicitly upon  your  cheerful  and  prompt  co-operation, 
in  all  spiritual  things,  and  trusting  that  the  blessing 
of  God  will  attend  our  efforts,  I  have  resolved, 
though  with  fear  and  trembling,  to  accept  your  affec- 
tionate call.  And  now  may  the  Holy  Spirit  sanc- 
tify the  new  relation !  that  you  as  a  church,  and  I  as 
your  pastor  may  enjoy  much  of  pure  and  undefiled 
religion,  and  be  blessings  to  each  other,  and  espe- 
cially to  the  worldly,  that  when  we  stand  up  in  the 
judgment  we  may  have  souls  as  seals  of  our  useful- 
ness.    Your  obedient  servant, 

D.  H.  Gillette." 

It  was  not  without  many  fears  that  he  accepted 
the  call,  lest  his  strength  would  fail,  and  he  be 
obliged  to  abandon  the  field.  But  suddenly  he  and 
the  people  became  greatly  elated  with  their  pros- 
pects. Increased  attention  was  given  to  the  word ; 
a  stronger  attachment  formed  between  pastor  and 
people.  Soon  God  in  his  providence  saw  proper  to 
blast  those  shadowy  prospects,  and  show  them  in 
whom  their  strength  was  reposed.  Only  three 
weeks  had  he  laboured  with  them  since  his  accep- 
tance of  the  call,  when  disease,  that  destructive  ene- 
my, again  laid  upon  him  a  heavy  blow.  Painful 
indeed  was  the  task  and  sore  the  trial,  yet  he  was 
obliged  to  tell  them  that  he  must  cease  to  preach; 
his  labours  with  them  must  close.  But  they  felt 
very  unwilling  to  part  with  hini  so  soon,  and  he, 
liimself  equally  loath  to  part  with  them.     They  ad- 


108  MEMOIRS  OF 

vised  him  to  retire  from  the  field  a  few  weeks; 
hoping  that  his  health  would  again  improve,  and 
allow  him  to  resume  his  labours;  they  would  obtain 
a  supply  for  the  pulpit.  He  was  almost  discouraged. 
He  wished  to  return  to  his  brother's  at  N.  J. — 
Thinking  that  the  state  of  his  health  forbade  his 
going  alone,  a  member  from  the  church  accompanied 
him.  When  he  arrived,  he  was  much  cast  down  in 
his  spirits,  and  weepingly  said  as  follows:  "Brother 
and  sister,  I  want  to  stay  with  you,  perhaps  until 
I  die!" 

His  health  improved  after  a  few  weeks,  and  he 
again  enjoyed  his  usual  flow  of  spirits;  his  natural 
turn  when  well,  was  of  a  lively  cast;  sometimes,  un- 
less restrained,  it  extended  almost  as  some  would 
suppose  to  levity,  but  no  one  who  was  intimately 
acquainted  with  him,  could  doubt  his  being  a  young 
man  who  drank  largely  out  of  grace's  fount.  His 
unshaken  confidence  in  God,  his  willingness  to  sub- 
mit all  to  him,  his  calm  resignation  to  afflictions, 
which  were  at  times  very  severe,  his  delight  in  the 
word  of  the  gospel,  and  his  ardent  zeal  for  the  cause, 
were  evidences  which  can  never  be  gainsaid ;  proving 
that  he  was  one  whose  motives  were  pure — and 
whose  inheritance  was  in  heaven;  thither  he  has 
gone  to  possess  his  reward:  it  is  a  crown  of  glory 
which  is  in  reserve  for  the  righteous. 

He  writes  as  follows: — 

"  Newmarket,  N.  J.,  July,  1842. 

"I  will  inform  you  about  the  state  of  my  health. 
It  is  not  at  all  good,  though  improving.  Had  it  con- 
tinued as  it  was  two  weeks  since,  I  must  have  been 
ere  this  confined  to  my  bed. 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  100 

"  After  reaching  Danbury,  with  my  furniture, 
fitting  up  my  room,  and  commencing  to  study  and 
preach,  something  lilce  an  ulcer  gathered  upon  my 
lungs;  and  on  the  evening  of  the  Sabbath,  it  broke 
while  in  church,  and  caused  me  to  feel  very  unplea- 
sant. I  began  to  be  weak  immediately,  and  within  a 
few  days  I  could  scarcely  dress  myself.  It  gave 
me  pain  to  converse.  It  was  evident  that  I  could 
not  preach.  I  consulted  a  physician,  who  advised 
me  to  leave  them,  and  said  that  with  prudence  and 
care  t  might  soon  recover.  I  complied,  though  it 
was  hard  for  the  church  to  part  with  me  ;  for  no  peo- 
ple could  be  more  warmly  attached  to  any  one.  But 
they  said  that  it  was  all  right.  One  of  them  came  to 
Plainfield  with  me,  where  I  stayed  a  few  days,  and 
then  I  came  to  brother  Walter's,  where  I  now  am. 

"After  the  breaking  of  this  ulcer,  my  cough  in- 
creased and  was  quite  severe;  but  now  it  has  nearly 
all  left  me,  and  my  strength  rapidly  increases;  yet  I 
am  not  able  to  preach.  I  feel  but  little  ambition — 
vastly  different  do  I  feel  from  what  I  did  one  year 
ago:  however,  I  am  not  now  discouraged,  for  every 
symptom  is  favourable,  and  I  see  nothing  to  forbid 
my  entire  restoration.  If  I  continue  to  improve  for 
a  few  weeks  as  I  have  the  past  week,  I  shall  soon 
be  a  well  man;  though  I  do  not  allow  myself  to  be 
flattered  beyond  measure.  I  am  content  to  take 
things  as  they  are.  Such  is  my  health  now  that  I 
shall  spend  next  winter  somewhere  south.  The  rea- 
sons that  I  settled  in  Danbury  were  in  part,  the  ad- 
vantages I  would  there  have  had  for  retirement.  I 
11 


110  MEMOIRS  OF 

thought  these  were  just  what  my  feeble  frame  re- 
quired, and  the  support  was  ample." 

«  Newmarket  N.  J.,  July,  1842. 
"Mrs.  Ely,— 

"How  darkly  obscured  from  our  eyes  are  all  the 
ways  of  God.  In  the  morning  we  may  anticipate  one 
thing  and  a  certain  course  of  events ;  but  as  the  day 
advances  we  learn,  to  our  sad  disappointment,  that  all 
our  hopes  were  vain  and  groundless.  Thus  we  learn 
that  our  minds  are  depraved  and  finite;  and,  how- 
ever much  occurrences  may  be  against  our  will,  yet 
if  attentive  to  the  monitions  of  God,  we  learn  that 
as  different  and  high  are  his  ways  from  ours,  and  his 
thoughts  above  ours, — so  much  superior  is  his  wisdom 
to  ours,  and  we  cannot  but  be  still  in  his  holy  pre- 
sence. Little  did  I  think  when  we  parted  that  I 
should  so  soon  be  in  this  State  again,  and  especially 
in  such  circumstances.  But  God  hath  ordered  it  thus, 
and  I  cheerfully  obey.  After  leaving  you,  I  pro- 
ceeded to  Danbury,  Conn.,  was  received  by  the  breth- 
ren with  a  hearty  welcome;  they  furnished  my  study 
very  pleasantly,  and  I  began. labour:  however,  after 
arriving  I  did  not  feel  well  as  usual,  but  I  preached 
on  Lord's  day,  and  on  the  following  week  felt 
my  strength  declining,  though  the  next  Sabbath  I 
preached  again  with  much  pleasure  and  ease  to  my- 
self, and  with  apparent  acceptance  to  the  church; 
but  the  same  evening  I  was  feeble,  my  cough  in- 
creased, and  while  in  church  an  ulcer  broke  on  my 
lungs,  and  caused  a  very  profuse  discharge.  This 
continued  for  several  days.  My  lungs  were  very 
sore,  and  I  felt  myself  fast  declining.  I  hardly 
thought  I  could  survive  two  months,  and  probably 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  Ill 

could  not,  had  I  not  begun  to  mend.  I  consulted  a 
physician,  he  advised  me  to  retire  from  the  minis- 
try at  once,  for  there  was  no  other  way,  he  said,  in 
which  I  could  regain  my  health;  but  in  retirement 
and  with  care,  I  might  get  well  again.  The  church 
advised  me  to  the  same,  saying  that  they  would  get 
a  supply  until  next  spring,  giving  them  a  prospect 
that  I  could  then  preach.  So  I  came  immediately 
to  New  Jersey,  stopped  at  my  friends'  near  Plain- 
field,  who  appeared  to  feel  worse  on  hearing  the  sad 
story  of  my  illness,  than  I  did  myself;  but  after  a 
few  days  they  were  much  encouraged,  for  I  was 
better,  and  now  feel  myself  rapidly  improving. 
However  well  I  may  be,  I  do  not  design  to  preach 
any  more  this  summer.  I  make  my  home  with 
brother  Walter,  take  daily,  moderate  exercise.  It 
is  very  trying  to  a  young  man  of  ambitious  feelings 
and  habits,  to  be  thus  laid  aside;  but  it  is  all  right. 
If  God  has  no  more  for  me  to  do,  I  will  freely  sub- 
mit ;  but  if  he  has,  and  I  shall  again  enjoy  health,  and 
be  able  to  perform  it,  may  I  have  grace  to  sustain 
me  in  all  circumstances. 

"It  may  seem  that  I  have  neglected  you,  yet  it  was 
not  designed,  for  my  heart  is  too  sensible  to  kind- 
ness, not  to  be  strongly  attached  to  you.  You 
have  been  to  me  all  that  any  one  could  be  in  vo- 
luntary and  cheerful  attention,  and  though  I  cannot 
reward  you,  yet  I  know  the  Lord  will.  I  shall 
ever  regard  you  none  other  than  one  of  my  best 
friends,  and  I  shall  always  meet  you  with  the  warm 
affection  of  a  son. 

"I  hear  that  you  have  settled  brother  Breed.  I 
hope  that  you  will  pray  for  him,  and  that  God  will 


112  MEMOIRS  OF 

bless  his  labours  abundantly.  I  can  do  no  good  now,  1 
know  not  as  I  ever  shall.  I  am  at  brother  Walter's. 
I  feel  better  than  usual,  and  hope  I  may  continue  to 
improve.  I  design  to  spend  the  summer  with  bro- 
ther and  his  family.     Your  sincere  friend. 

D.  H.  Gillette." 

«  New  Market,  New  Jersey,  July  20th,  1842. 
^'Dear  Brother  Montgomery, 

"  I  am  yet  blessed  with  the  mercies  of  an  indulgent 
Providence,  and  have  great  reason  to  be  thankful  and 
bless  his  holy  name.  The  afflictions  I  have  been 
called  to  endure  for  the  last  few  months  have  been 
sanctified  to  my  heart  and  been  the  means  of  bring- 
ing me  near  the  throne  of  grace.  But  oh  the  dis- 
tance of  my  heart  from  God,  would  that  I  had  been 
so  near,  that  I  could  feel  the  geniat  warmth  of  his 
countenance  always  beaming  on  my  soul. 

"I  think  that  I  am  somewhat  better  than  when  I 
left  you,  though  it  is  difficult  to  ascertain,  for  at  times, 
I  feel  very  well,  and  again  am  quite  feeble,  hardly 
able  to  be  about;  yet  I  attribute  these  different 
feelings  to  the  weather,  and  the  fatigue,  I  sometimes 
have  from  too  much  exercise.  My  cough  is  much 
abated,  but  my  lungs  are  very  sore  and  weak :  I 
may  again  be  well,  and  preach  the  gospel  of  Jesus, 
yet  it  will  doubtless  be  some  time  before  I  can  be- 
gin. It  is  hard,  yes,  it  pains  my  heart  to  tell  you 
this;  but  duty  demands  it,  and  1  must  yield.  May 
God  give  me  grace  to  submit  with  cheerfulness  to 
all  his  dispensations.  I  love  you  as  a  church  and 
people,  and  with  health  I  could  be  happy  with  you, 
and  with  the  blessing  of  God  could  be  useful. 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  113 

"  It  seems  duty  both  for  you  and  me  that  I  should 
no  longer  be  your  Pastor,  for  it  ia  very  uncer- 
tain whether  I  shall  be  able  to  preach  in  the  fall; 
and  for  you  to  wait  would  only  keep  you  in  uncer- 
tain suspense.  0!  how  my  soul  yearns  over  you. 
May  God  send  you  a  man  after  his  own  heart,  who 
may  break  unto  you  the  bread  of  life.  I  can  only 
commend  you  to  God  and  to  the  word  of  his  grace. 

"  I  hope  to  visit  you  next  week,  and  spend  the 
Sabbath  with  you,  but  shall  not  be  able  to  preach,  and 
if  you  have  no  supply,  and  will  write  me  on  the  re- 
ception of  this,  if  you  desire  it,  my  brother  will  ac- 
company me  and  preach  for  you.  You  need  not  pre- 
sent my  resignation  to  the  church  until  I  see  you, 
when  I  will  do  it  myself.  You  cannot  doubt  the  pro- 
priety of  the  course  I  take.  No!  you  cannot,  for 
without  health  I  can  do  you  no  good.  I  know  I  shall 
have  your  prayers  for  my  speedy  recovery,  and  for 
the  blessing  of  my  God  to  attend  me. 

"A  sense  of  duty  leads  me  to  this  step.  It  was  dif- 
ficult to  decide,  for  I  love  my  Master  and  his  cause, 
and  I  have  but  little  else  for  which  to  live.  I 
am  very  anxious  to  see  you,  and  never,  no!  never 
can  I  forget  you.  To  you  and  your  family,  I  have 
a  sincere  attachment.  I  love  you  with  Christian  af- 
fection, and  to  know  that  I  have  an  interest  in  your 
prayers  is  a  solace  to  my  heart.  If  we  are  never  al- 
lowed to  labour  more  together,  0 !  may  eternity 
be  made  vocal  with  our  notes,  and  there  may  we  sing 
and  praise  together  in  glory. 

"Give  my  love  to  all  the  brethren,  and  tell  them 
11* 


114  MEMOIRS  OF 

that  I  shall  expect  to  see  them  all  at  church.     Love 
to  your  family. 

"Yours  affectionately.     D.  H.  Gillette." 

The  following  is  the  resignation  which  he  tendered 
to  the  church. 

"To  the  Baptist  Church,  Danbury,  Conn.  Dear 
brethren,  it  has  become  my  duty  as  your  pastor  to 
dissolve  that  relation  which  I  have  held  to  you  but 
a  short  time.  My  heart  was  with  you,  and  the  kind 
reception  I  met  with  in  being  called  to  this  relation, 
gave  me  a  peculiar  fondness  for  this  field  of  labour, 
and  caused  me  to  hope  that  we  might  live  happily 
together  for  a  long  time,  and  be  the  means  of  ad- 
vancing the  kingdom  of  Christ,  in  bringing  many 
souls  to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth.  But  it  seems 
God  had  otherwise  determined.  It  pleased  him  to 
show  me  my  weakness  and  dependence  by  under- 
mining my  health;  and  you  your  dependence  by 
proving  that  you  might  appoint,  but  he  could  disap- 
point. It  was  a  great  trial  to  my  feelings,  yet  I 
trust  that  I  have  an  interest  in  your  prayers  for  the 
recovery  of  health,  that  I  may  yet  labour  more  in 
the  vineyard  of  the  Lord. 

"Dear  brethren,  accept  this  my  resignation  of  the 
pastoral  office  of  this  church,  and  be  assured  that  I 
commend  you  to  God  and  to  the  word  of  his  grace, 
praying  earnestly  that  he  may  send  you  a  man  after 
his  own  heart, — who  may  preach  to  you  faithfully 
the  words  of  the  kingdom.  I  am  your  obedient 
servant.  D.  H.  Gillette." 

He  writes  as  follows: — 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  IIS 

"  August,  1842. 

"One  month  since  I  was  more  than  one  hundred 
miles  north  of  this,  and  located,  I  hoped,  for  happi- 
ness and  joy  in  the  service  of  God.  But  how  often 
we  learn  that  finite  minds  cannot  penetrate  the  fu- 
ture. Though  not  entirely  restored  to  health,  yefe 
1  anticipate  a  gradual  improvement,  by  which  1  may 
moderately  advance,  and  some  day  be  able  to  fulfil 
all  the  functions  of  a  pastor's  office.  But  God  is 
wiser  than  man,  and  knows  what  is  best  for  us. 

"I  returned  to  Danbury  last  Lord's  day,  and  re- 
signed my  charge  of  the  church.  This  was  to  me 
and  to  them  a  great  trial;  but  the  will  of  the  Lord 
be  done.  If  it  please  him  to  restore  me,  it  is  my 
prayer  that  I  may  have  much  grace,  and  be  able  to 
serve  acceptably,  with  reverence  and  with  godly 
fear.  I  have  earnestly  prayed  that  this  affliction 
might  be  sanctified.  I  believe  it  is  in  some  mea- 
sure. I  do  not  feel  the  least  disposition  to  murmur; 
it  is  all  just,  and  I  feel  it  so.  O  that  I  may  improve 
it!  I  have  no  illness  at  present,  except  weakness 
of  the  lungs,  which  affects  my  whole  system.  God 
in  his  own  time  will  dispose  of  me  as  seemeth  good 
in  his  sight.  0  God,  for  thine  own  designs  of  mercy 
and  love,  give  me  grace  and  wisdom,  and  save  my 
soul  in  heaven.     Amen." 

"Newmarket,  August  20th,  1842. 
"  Dear  Brother  A., 

"I  am  housekeeper  general,  lord  of  the  soil,  and 
monarch  of  all  I  survey.  Walter  and  wife  left  on 
Monday,  designing  first  to  visit  mother,  sisters,  and 
friends,  and  then  go  to   conference  in  Rensselaer 


116  MEMOIRS  OF 

county,  thence  home;  which  will  occupy  about  three 
weeks.  I  felt  very  anxious  to  accompany  them,  and 
at  first  designed  to,  but  after  resolving  to  go  south,! 
felt  the  journey  would  be  more  than  I  could  endure; 
for  I  would  be  obliged  to  visit  Whitehall  and  Lake 
George:  to  which  place  and  here  again  would  be  at 
least  six  hundred  miles,  and  then  four  hundred 
more  south.  I  have  travelled  too  much  this  sum- 
mer and  last  spring.  The  nights  begin  to  lengthen^ 
and  dews  are  heavier.  I  thought  it  the  part  of  wis- 
dom to  forego  the  pleasure  of  visiting  friends  this 
.epason,  and  take  better  care  of  my  own  shattered 
person. 

"  A  widow  is  my  house-maid,  and  the  two  child- 
ren are  the  only  musical  instruments  we  have  at 
present,  which  are  rather  more  noisy  than  harmo- 
nious. I  am  quite  happy,  for  I  can  enjoy  solitude 
much  as  I  please,  which  was  always  very  desirable 
to  me.  If  I  choose  company,  I  have  but  a  short 
distance  to  go,  where  I  can  enjoy  that  society  for 
which  in  all  the  world  there  is  none  can  compensate. 
So  you  see  I  am  happily  situated.  There  is  but  one 
thing  now  wanting  for  me  to  enjoy  altogether  be- 
yond what  I  ever  anticipated,  that  is,  good  health. 
If  it  were  my  blessing,  with  the  feelings  I  now  and 
for  some  months  past  have  had,  earth  would  be  al- 
most a  paradise.  However,  I  have  no  reason  to 
complain,  neither  do  I,  for  I  am  much  better  than 
might  be  expected,  considering  how  low  I  was  re- 
duced last  winter.  I  have  had  no  cough  for  three 
weeks.  I  suffer  no  pain,  and  the  only  difficulty  is 
weakness  of  the   lungs,  though    they  are    gaining 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  117 

strength.  1  expectorate  considerably,  but  not  so 
much  as  some  time  previous,  and  I  am  much  encou- 
raged at  times  that  I  may  once  more  be  well.  The 
Lord  knows  best,  and  I  feel  resigned  to  his  sove- 
reign disposal,  earnestly  desiring  to  have  grace  suffi- 
cient to  meet  calmly  any  event  he  may  be  pleased  to 
bring  upon  me. 

"Next  Tuesday  I  expect  to  preach  in  the  city  of 
Newark  before  our  Missionary  society.  I  was  ap- 
pointed to  this  last  year.  I  feel  quite  able,  though 
I  have  not  attempted  since  the  last  Sabbath  in  June. 
1  have  just  prepared  my  sermon,  text  Heb.  xi.  7j 
in  which  I  illustrate  the  power  and  rewards  of  faith. 
These  are  my  points:  first,  the  power;  secondly, 
the  rewards. 

"I  have  been  solicited  by  R.  W.  Martin,  treasurer, 
and  Rev.  B.  M.  Hill,  corresponding  secretary,  to 
take  an  agency  for  the  winter  in  the  southern  states 
for  the  Home  Mission,  but  it  would  expose  me  ra- 
ther too  much,  therefore  I  decline.  I  shall  leave  here 
for  the  south,  the  Lord  willing,  about  the  third  week 
in  Sept.,  make  you  a  call,  and  leave  for  Virginia,, 
that  I  may  be  there  the  first  of  October. 

"I  want  to  see  the  little  ones.  Give  that  five  dollars 
to  my  little  namesake,  and  kiss  sis  when  you  please, 
and  put  just  so  much  to  my  account  as  you  have  a 
mind  to. 

"Remember  me  to  all  the  friends, and  tell  them  I 
have  good  spirits,  though  afflicted.  Yours  truly  in 
love.  D.  H.  Gillette." 


118  MEMOIRS  OF 


CHAPTER   VII. 

SETTLES  AS  PASTOR  IN  CHARLOTTSVILLE,  VIRGINIA. 
REVIVAL. 

After  returning  from  Danbury  to  his  brother's, 
in  New  Jersey,  he  passed  his  time  very  plea- 
santly, as  he  has  frequently  intimated.  He  employed 
his  time  in  working  the  garden,  riding  on  horseback, 
reading,  writing,  and  visiting  his  friends.  During 
the  whole  summer,  he  preached  but  once,  and  that 
was  to  fulfil  a  previous  appointment  made  by  the 
East  New  Jersey  Missionary  Society,  at  its  session 
in  the  city  of  Newark,  Sometimes  he  appeared  al- 
most well,  at  others  especially  in  damp  weather, 
his  disease  was  quite  observable. 

His  natural  turn  was  active  and  industrious;  he 
had  been  early  inured  to  laborious  habits;  and  to 
content  himself  doing  nothing  was  utterly  impossi- 
ble. In  the  midst  of  his  enjoyments  and  recreations 
there  was  an  uneasiness  of  mind  manifest.  He  con- 
sidered that  God  had  put  him  into  the  ministry,  and 
if  health  would  permit,  he  ought  to  be  engaged  in 
his  Master's  work.  Soon,  as  the  autumn  com- 
menced, he  began  to  be  anxious  about  the  future; 
and,  finally,  came  to  the  conclusion  to  go  south,  to 
some  place  where  he  could  be  useful,  and  spend  the 
winter  preaching,  as  his  health  would  admit. 

Having  held  correspondence  with  the  brethren  in 
Charlottsville,  Virginia,   since   his  visit  there,  and 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  119 

their  pastor  having  resigned  his  charge,  they  mani- 
fested quite  a  desire  that  he  should  settle  with  them. 
He  was  soon  called  to  become  their  pastor,  but, 
being  fearful  that  the  field  required  more  labour 
than  he  should  be  able  to  perform,  he  hesitated, 
knowing  that,  with  a  mere  nominal  pastor,  the  cause 
would  suffer  rather  than  be  advanced.  Finally,  he 
consented  to  stay  with  them  during  the  winter,  on 
condition  that  he  should  not  be  required  to  labour 
beyond  what  his  constitution  could  reasonably  en- 
dure. Accordingly,  after  making  what  preparation 
was  necessary,  about  the  middle  of  September,  he 
left  New  Jersey,  and  his  friends,  for  a  residence  in 
the  south.  Many  fears  were  entertained  that  his 
ambition  and  zeal  would  prompt  him  to  undertake 
too  much.  But  they  were  soon  happy  to  hear  that 
his  health  continued  as  good  as  when  he  left,  and  he 
was  flattered  with  the  idea  that  it  constantly  im- 
proved. How  often  it  is,  alas !  that  we  are  thus  de- 
luded with  the  hope  of  long  life,  while,  with  rapid 
strides  we  are  hastening  to  the  tomb! 

Concerning  his  settlement  in  Virginia,  and  his 
success  in  the  ministry,  while  there,  he  writes  as 
follows: — 

"  CharloUsville,  October,  1842. 

"  My  last  entry  was  made  at  Newmarket,  New 
Jersey,  when  my  health  was  quite  bad,  though 
rather  improving.  Having  resigned  my  charge  in 
Connecticut,  1  received  a  call  from  this  place,  which 
I  accepted,  should  my  health  allow  me  to  preach.  I 
commenced  labour  on  the  first  of  this  month.  It 
has  pleased  the  Lord  to  restore  me  quite  rapidly.    I 


120  MEMOIRS   OP 

reached  here  in  due  time,  and,  on  the  first  Sabbath, 
preached,  in  the  morning,  to  a  very  large  audience. 
I  am  very  happy  in  the  prospects  with  this  people: 
the  church  is  quite  numerous  and  wealthy,  and  ap- 
pear to  be  very  desirous  to  honour  their  Lord  and 
do  all  they  can  to  promote  the  cause.  They  are 
now  enjoying  a  very  pleasant  revival;  converted 
souls  are  rejoicing  in  the  Lord.  I  anticipate  much 
success  here,  should  the  Lord  restore  me  to  health 
and  continue  with  me  his  Holy  Spirit.  I  mourn  on 
account  of  my  barrenness;  0!  that  I  were  more 
fruitful  in  the  knowledge  of  my  Lord,  and  were  a 
more  able  minister  of  the  New  Testament.  0  God! 
forgive  all  my  sins,  let  thy  grace  be  sufficient  for 
me,  and  honour  thou  my  feeble  efforts,  and  save 
many  immortal  souls  from  the  wrath  to  come. 
Amen." 

The  anxiety  of  the  people  in  Charlottsville  to  ob- 
tain his  labours  among  them,  is  seen  in  the  numerous 
letters  of  correspondence  that  passed  between  them 
during  the  summer  previous  to  his  settling  there. 
The  following  valuable  epistle  was  written  to  his 
brother  A.,  by  a  gentleman  to  whom  with  some 
other  of  his  friends  in  that  place  he  had  given  Da- 
niel an  introduction: 

"  Charlottsville,  1842. 
"Dear  Brother  Gillette, — 

"  I  cannot  let  so  favourable  an  opportunity  pass 
without  expressing  my  own  as  well  as  my  brethren's 
gratitude  for  the  interest  you  have  taken  in  our 
spiritual  welfare.  Your  brother  reached  our  place 
on  the  22d  instant,  aind  has  preached  for  us  three 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  121 

times,  and  will  preach  again  to-night.  His  preach- 
ing is  calculated  to  satisfy  us  beyond  our  most  san- 
guine expectations,  and  to  draw  crowds  to  hear  him. 
To-day  our  church  was  thronged  to  overflowing,  and 
the  deep  interest  felt  by  all  could  not  be  otherwise 
tlian  encouraging  to  the  speaker  and  cheering  to  the 
hearts  of  his  hearers.  I  do  seriously  believe  that  a 
kind  Providence  has  directed  this  matter.  I  am 
aware  of  the  vanity  of  our  natures,  and,  whilst  some 
of  other  denominations  may  ascribe  it  to  this  cause, 
and  others  to  that,  in  our  trying  to  obtain  the  ser- 
vices of  talents  that  will  command  the  attention  of 
all  classes;  yet  they  must  hear  before  they  will  be- 
lieve, and  they  cannot  be  brought  to  hear  unless 
we  have  a  preacher  that  is  interesting.  I  believe 
and  hope  that  your  brother  is  pleased  with  our  coun- 
try, and,  especially,  with  our  church  and  people,  and 
I  do  think  that  a  kind  Saviour  indicates  that  we 
should  try  and  secure  hi.m  as  our  permanent  pastor. 
He  has  promised  not  to  engage  with  any  church 

until  he  hears  more  from  us 

"  The  brethren  are  unanimous  in  saying,  that  we 
should,  by  all  means,  try  and  secure  your  brother. 
The  only  difficulty  I  can  see  is,  that  we  shall  not  be 
able  to  make  him  such  an  offer  as  he  will  have  made 
him  by  others.  I  must  solicit  your  aid  in  our  behalf. 
In  as  short  a  time  as  we  can,  consistently  with  duty, 
we  shall  make  known  to  him  what  we  can  do: 
and  I  trust  that  he  may  be  directed  by  Him  who 
manages  the  affairs  of  the  world  for  his  own  glory, 

and  the  advancement  of  his  cause 

"Accept  our  best  regard   for  the  deep   interest 
12 


122  MEMOIRS  OF 

that  you  have  taken  in  our  welfare.  May  the  Ijord 
reward  you  richly,  and  restore  to  health  your  dear 
brother,  and  direct  his  sojourn,  ere  long,  amongst  us, 
is  the  prayer  of  your  very  unworthy  brother, 

Wm.  p.  Parish." 
The  following  call  soon  came,  made  in  due  form: 

<'Charlott8TilIe,  1842. 
"  Dear  Brother  Gillette, — 

'»  Brother  Isaac  S.  Tinsley  having  resigned  the 
pastorate  of  this  church,  the  church  are  unanimous 
in  their  wish  that  you  should  accept  the  charge  over 
them  in  the  Lord,  and  have  appointed  us  to  commu- 
nicate to  you  their  wishes.  This  duty  we  perform 
with  peculiar  pleasure,  convinced,  as  we  are,  that 
we  not  only  meet  the  unanimous  wishes  of  the 
church  and  community,  but  secure  the  advancement 
of  our  best  interests.  If  you  can  feel  it  your  duty 
to  accede  to  our  proposition,  your  visit  to  us  and 
the  communications  already  made  to  you  by  our 
brethren,  render  it  unnecessary  to  say  any  thing  of 
our  condition  and  prospects.  We  therefore  submit 
the  matter  to  your  determination,  assuring  you  of 
our  deepest  interest,  and  of  our  sincere  desire  that 
you  may  be  our  pastor. 

"  With  sentiments  of  great  regard  and  Christian 
liindness,  we  are,  vety  truly,  your  brethren, — 
Nimrod  Bramham,  John  Simpson, 

W.  P.  Parish,  H.  Mason, 

Joseph  Bishop,  James  Alexander, 

Benjamin  Morly,  Clifton  L.  Thompson, 

Elijah  Dunham,  Alex.  Pope  Abell, 

Pike  Purvis, — Committee.''^ 


REV.  D,  H.  GILLETTE.  123 

"Charlottsville,  1842. 
"Dear  Brother  Gillette, — 

"A  committee,  with  which  we  acted,  have  this 
evening  addressed  a  communication  to  you,  in 
the  name  of  the  church,  requesting  you  to  become 
our  pastor.     .... 

"  We  know  not  what  to  say  that  we  have  not 
ah'eady  said,  to  urge  you  to  accede  to  o«r  wishes. 
The  plan  adopted  by  the  brethren  is,  that  a  portion 
of  us  shall  assume  the  payment  of  the  subscription, 
which  will  amount  to  six  hundred  and  fifty  dollars, 
perhaps  more.  If  this  were  contrasted  with  the 
amount  subscribed  heretofore  for  the  same  object, 
it  would  show  what  we  wish  you  to  appreciate — the 
ardent  feelings  of  the  church  on  the  subject.    .     . 

"  Brother  Tinsley  having  resigned,  and  being  anx- 
ious to  travel,  we  desire  you  to  come  immediately, 
should  it  suit  your  convenience,  and  you  kindly  de- 
termine to  settle  among  us 

"If  your  health  will  not  allow  you  to  engage  at 
once  in  active  labour,  (and  this  you  should  jealously 
take  care  of,)  you  will  be  able,  and  we  shall  be  glad 
to  help  you,  to  spend  much  of  the  summer  in  riding 
about  the  mountains,  or  in  visiting  the  Virginia 
springs.  Brother!  the  matter  is  now  before  you. 
May  we  not  hope  that  our  wishes  are  soon  to  be 
gratified?  These  are  not  selfish  feelings  only;  they 
are  induced  by  a  conviction  that  the  cause  of  our 
Redeemer  will  be  more  certainly  advanced  by  your- 
self than  by  any  one  of  our  acquaintance. 

^  We  are,  very  truly,  your  brethren, 

W.  P.  Farish, 
Alex.  Pope  Abell." 


124  MEMOIKS  OF 

The  following  is  from  a  highly  respectable  mem- 
ber of  the  congregation,  his  lady  being  a  member  of 
the  church:-^ 

*'  CharlottSTille,  May  15,  1842. 
"  EstUemei!)  Friend, — 

"Yotjr  kind  favour  of  the  ninth  instant,  came 
safe  to  hand.  It  gare  us  much  pleasure  to  hear  of 
your  safe  arrival  at  your  journey's  end,  and  also  to 
hear  of  your  health  being  improved  after  having 
visited  us  awhile.  Knowing  that  you  must  have 
had  a  very  fatiguing  timfe  to  go,  not  only  the  dis- 
tance, but  in  such  bad  weather,  my  wife  and  myself 
thought  of  you  often,  and,  especially,  v,fhen  Sabbath 
came,  whether  you  had  got  to  Danbury,  and  whe- 
ther you  were  preaching  on  that  day.  1  am  pleased 
to  hear  of  the  manner  you  speak  of  that  charming 
little  town,  as  to  its  beauty,  society,  &c.,  but,  as  to 
tlie  climate,  I  agree  with  you,  it  is  too  cold.  I  hope. 
Providence  may  direct  you  to  one  more  congenial 
to  your  health  and  constitution,  say,  for  instance, 
Charlottsville! 

*'  I  understand  that  the  church  intend  to  write  to 
you  as  soon  as  an  opportunity  offers,  which,  I  ex- 
pect, will  be  in  a  few  days.  Mr.  Fari&h  received  a 
letter  from  your  brother  A.,  of  Philadelphia,  yester- 
day, speaking  of  your  passing  that  place,  and  that 
all  was  well.  ..... 

"My  wife  joins  in  affectionate  respect  to  you: 
please  accept  the  same  from  yours,  sincerely, 

John  Vowles." 

Having  arrived  at  Charlottsville,  it  appeared  that 
a  kind  Providence  had  thus  ordered  it,  although  his 


RSV.  U.  H.  GILLETTE.  \^^ 

llealth  was  feeble,  yet  the  field  upon  which  he  had 
entered  was  evidently  ripe  for  the  harvest;  much 
good  seed  had  been  sown  by  his  respected  predeces- 
sor; the  tender  blades  began  to  appear,  and  now  the 
ripening  grain.  Others  had  been  sowing,  he  had 
now  entered  into  their  labours.  Immediately  he 
began  to  see  the  fruit.  Inquirers  were  multiplied, 
souls  were  converted,  and  many,  in  a  few  m-onths, 
were  added  to  the  church.  He  was,  by  co-operation 
and  by  grace,  remarkably  sustained  in  the  work. 
He  afterwards  said,  that  without  faithful  brethren 
in  the  church,  who  were  to  him  Aarons  and  Hurs, 
he  could  not  have  performed  the  amount  of  labour 
required.  As  to  his  views  of  the  settlement,  labour 
and  success  which  followed  him  in  Charlottsville,  we 
refer  to  his  correspondence,  of  which  we  give  the 
fallowing  extract:-^^ 

«Charlc>ttsville,  October,  1842. 
<'My  Dear  Brother,^-- 

"You  may  have  been  disappointed  in  not  re- 
ceiving a  letter  from  me  sooner.  I  have  neglected 
it  for  two  very  good  reasons.  My  time  was  very 
much  occupied  by  the  calling  of  friends,  and  on  ac»- 
^count  of  my  precarious  health,  I  was  desirous  to 
make  you  a  report  from  trial  and  experience,  I 
will  give  a  narrative.  After  leaving  you,  the  last 
Tuesday  in  September,  I  met  with  the  eldest  son 
of  Rev.  E.  Galusha,  on  the  steam-boat,  whom  I 
was  pleased  to  see,  having  formed  an  attachment  from 
previous  association.  We  were  several  years  fellow- 
students.  He  solicited  me  to  stop  in  BaltimorCj  and 
13* 


120  MEMOIRS  OP 

spent!  the  night  with  him.  I  cheerfully  consented. 
On  arriving  there,  about  one  o'clock,  A.  m.,  I  was 
very  much  fatigued  and  needed  rest.  The  remain- 
der of  the  night  I  slept  sweetly,  and,  in  the  morn- 
ing, arose  very  much  refreshed.  After  breakfast,  I 
called  on  some  of  my  acquaintances  in  the  city, 
found  them  well,  and,  from  a  short  visit  with  bro- 
ther S.  P.  Hill,  pastor  of  the  First  Church,  I  learned 
that  his,  and  also  the  church  of  which  brother  G.  F. 
Adams  is  pastor,  were  enjoying  a  very  interesting 
revival.  The  Sabbath-  previous,  brother  Hill  baptized 

twenty-six 

"  My  calls  were  rather  short,  but  pleasing  to  my- 
self, and  apparently  so  to  my  friends.  All  seemed 
delighted  to  know  that  my  health  was  so  far  re- 
stored, and  also  with  the  prospect  of  my  settling 
south,  where  they  thought  it  probable  that  my  health 
would  be  confirmed.  I  bid  them  all  farewell  with 
their  best  wishes  on  my  head.  At  four  in  the  even- 
ing I  took  the  cars,  and,  at  six,  reached  Washington, 
where  I  spent  the  night  with  a  Baptist  family  from 
the  north;  the  mother  and  daughter  were  members 
of  a  church  that  I  served  while  at  the  institution. 
But  I  was  obliged  to  leave  them  early  next  morning, 
so,  on  the  evening,  I  took  leave  of  them  and  retired, 
and,  with  the  first  light  in  the  gray  east,  I  left  my 
bed  for  the  boat.  Soon,  I  was  borne  rapidly  along 
the  calm  surface  of  the  Potomac.  The  light  of  the 
morning  sun,  throwing  his  smiling  beams  over  hills, 
lawn,  and  river,  seemed  to  impart  to  them  golden 
beauty,  which  quite  ravished  my  gaze.     The  passen- 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTK.  127 

gers  were  not  numerous,  though  sufficiently  so  to 
give  a  lively  interest  to  the  scene.  Among  these 
were  Judge  Elliot,  Mexican  minister,  and  Judge 
Tucker  and  family,  professor  of  law  in  the  university 
of  Virginia;  both  pleasant  men.  With  the  latter  I 
formed  a  partial  acquaintance,  as  we  were  both 
bound  for  the  same  place.  Down  the  river  our  ride 
was  delightful,  but,  when  we  took  coach  at  the 
creek  for  Fredericksburg,  we  were  about  to  encoun- 
ter another  and  a  more  unpleasant  influence.  The 
dust  was  suffocating,  and,  when  we  reached  the 
depot,  there  must  have  been  much  less  on  the  road, 
for  our  clothes  were  heavily  loaded.  About  three 
in  the  afternoon,  we  reached  the  junction,  where  we 
remained  until  seven  next  morning.  Then  we  took 
the  cars  for  Gordonville,  fifty-one  miles;  thence 
stage  twenty-two  miles,  to  Charlottsville.  It  was 
the  gathering  of  the  students  at  the  university,  and 
several  were  with  us;  some  with  whom  I  became 
acquainted  were  very  agreeable,  though  none  of  our 
company  were  professedly  pious.  It  occurred  to 
me  that  those  young  men  were  perverting  the  object 
of  their  existence! — acquiring  an  education  only  to 
signalize  themselves  in  the  world.  But  how  much 
happier  they  would  be,  and  how  much  more  good 
they  could  do,  were  they  only  pious,  and  so  dis- 
posed to  benefit  man  and  glorify  God.  I  reached 
the  place  of  my  destination  on  Friday,  about  four 
o'clock,  p.  M.  1  met  several  of  the  brethren  at  the 
stage-house,  and  was  soon  pleasantly  escorted  to  the 
residence  of  brother  A.  P.  Abell,  with  whom  I  now 


128  MEMoiits  OP 

board.  My  study  is  an  office,  separate  from  his 
house,  about  eighteen  feet  square;  here  1  think,  study, 
and  sleep.  I  am  happily  situated,  and  every  thing  i^ 
done  by  this  warm-hearted,  zealous  people  to  make 
me  comfortable,  that  is  desirable.  I  preached  on 
Sabbath  morning;  the  congregation  is  large,  and  in 
the  afternoon,  three  were  baptized.  The  church  is 
prosperous.  During  the  week,  I  visited  some  and 
studied  some,  and  yesterday  morning  I  preached  to 
a  very  large  congregation.  I  preached  but  once  on 
the  Sabbath;  the  attention  was  good  and  the  audience 
seemed  solemn.  There  are  now  about  five  and 
twenty  coloured  people  who  are  hopefully  converted^ 
waiting  for  baptism ;  the  larger  part  of  them  have 
been  received  as  candidates.  This  morning  I  can 
say,  with  pleasure,  that  my  health  is  much  better 
than  it  has  been  during  the  last  year.  May  the  Lord 
increase  my  strength  and  confirm  my  health.  This 
field  of  labour  is  extensive.  Much  remains  and  needs 
to  be  done.  The  people  here  often  speak  of  you, 
and  ask  anxiously  about  your  health.  Our  situation 
seems  to  demand  a  special  efibrt,  and  the  thought 
that  you  can  be  obtained  to  labour  here  a  few  weeks 
pleases  them  very  nmch. 

"  Write  to  me  soon.     My  love  to  you  all, 

D.  H.  Gillette." 

"  Charlottsville,  Virginia,  October  24, 1842. 
"Dear  Mrs.  Ely, — 

"  It  affords  me  much  pleasure  to  write  to  you, 
on  several  accounts.  I  can  address  you  as  one  for* 
whom  I  have  a  very  high  esteem,  founded  upon  the 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  129 

best  reasons.  It  may  seem  to  you  that  I  have 
shghted  you;  but,  be  assured,  if  I  have,  it  is  not  be- 
cause I  desjgned  it,  nor  was  it  in  my  heart;  and  if  I 
ever  neglect  to  write  to  you  as  soon  as  I  ought,  it  is 
because  of  the  duties  pressing  upon  me.  Your  at- 
tention and  kindness  to  me  are  not  only  worthy  of 
my  regard  and  thanks,  but  they  deserve  blessings, 
and  shall  have  them  in  all  due  proportion.  Now 
I  will  begin  my  story.  I  left  New  Jersey  much 
cast  down.  0 !  it  was  hard  to  part  so  long,  and  per- 
haps, yea,  very  possible,  for  ever,  with  friends  who 
are  near  and  very  dear.  I  reached  Philadelphia,  and 
found  brother  Abraham  very  ill,  but  getting  a  little 

better There  I  spent  the  Sabbath,  and 

preached,  and,  on  Tuesday,  1  left;  spent  the  next 
night  in  Baltimore,  the  second  in  Washington,  and 
the  third  in  the  eastern  part  of  this  state,  and  the 
fourth  in  this  place,  much  fatigued,  though  rather 
better  than  when  I  left  you.  I  preached  once  on 
the  Sabbath:  three  were  baptized.  I  have  preached 
once  each  Sabbath  to  an  increasing  assembly,  and 
yesterday,  being  the  fourth  in  the  month,  our  meet- 
ing-house, (being  nearly  the  size  of  j^ours,)  would 
not  hold  the  people.  I  baptized  one,  and  gave 
the  right  hand  of  fellowship  to  twelve.  There 
are  about  thirty  ready  for  baptism.  Many  of  our 
white  assembly,  embracing  the  better  part  of  the 
community,  are  very  solemn  tind  anxious.  0!  that 
I  was  able  to  preach  more  to  them ;  I  believe  the 
Lord  would  pour  out  his  Spirit  here  and  convert 
many.     I  design  to  have  a  continuous  meeting  soon, 


130  MEMOIRS  OF 

and  hope  I  may  have  my  brother  A.  to  be  with  and 
help  me.  I  anticipate  a  good  work.  I  wish  you 
were  here;  the  people  are  those  waum- hearted, 
every-day-alike  people  you  love,  and  their  manner 
in  meetings  would  suit  you.  To  sing,  talk,  and 
pray,  is  the  joy  of  their  souls.  I  could  not  be  more 
pleasantly  situated — nothing  in  their  power  is  left 
undone  to  make  me  useful  and  happy.  Besides  the 
seven  hundred  dollars  they  pay  me,  I  have  received 
valuable  presents.  But  what  are  earthly  treasures 
compared  with  good  health,  and  the  grace  and  love 
of  God  in  the  soul?  I  am  very  glad  to  hear  that 
Rahvvay  has  been  blessed  and  the  church  there  re- 
vived. I  love  many  there;  I  must,  I  cannot  do 
otherwise.  Their  kindness  to  me  and  devotion  to 
the  cause,  won  my  affections,  and  I  desire  to  see 
them  a  large  and  happy  people.  M.  A.  W.  was 
there,  as  she  said,  and  I  was  happy  to  know  that 
the  Lord  converted  her  by  his  Spirit.  She  has 
often,  nearly  always,  from  childhood,  been  a  subject 
of  conviction,  and  when  I  have  been  speaking  to 
her  of  my  own  feelings,  would  weep,  and  assign  as  a 
reason  for  so  doing,  that  she  had  no  religion!  0! 
how  much  I  feel  for  her;  will  you  not  pray  for  her? 
She  wrote  to  me  that  she  had  resolved  to  seek  the 
Lord  till  she  found  him.  May  he  hear  and  answer 
her  prayer, — help  her  to  make  a  valuable  decision, 
to  be  on  the  Lord's'  side.  There  are  very  great 
revivals  in  this  state;  one  association  received,  by 
baptism,  the  last  year,  nearly  eight  thousand.  What 
encouragements  to  serve,  love,  and  praise  God! 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  131 

"My  health  is  very  much  improved, — better  now 
than  it  has  been  for  a  year.  .May  the  Lord  confirm 
it.  I  hope  to  hear  from  you  soon. — You  shall  hear 
from  me  again,  bye  and  bye.  I  am  more  happy 
than  I  expected  to  be.  If  the  Lord  is  willing,  I 
shall  visit  my  friends  next  spring. 

"  I  am  your  servant  and  brother, 

D.  H.  Gillette." 
"Charlottsville,  November  30,  1842. 
"Dear  Brother, — 

"I  received  your  very  kind  epistle,  after  anxious- 
ly waiting  a  long  time,  but  upon  the  perusal  of  it, 
required  no  other  apology,  than  your  ill  health,  and 
absence  from  home.  You  have  my  deepest  sympa- 
thy, for  your  afflictions  have  been  far  beyond  all  I 
anticipated  on  leaving  you.  There  was  upon  my 
mind  no  doubt  that  you  would  very  soon  be  preach- 
ing again,  but  it  seems  that  the  Lord  looks  upon 
things  very  differently  from  ourselves,  and  happy  is 
it  for  us  if  we  can  know  that  he  does  all  things  well. 
— I  hope  you  may  very  soon  be  able  to  preach.  I 
cannot  tell  you  how  the  people  here  were  disap- 
pointed when  the  intelligence  came  that  you  could 
not  visit  us;  their  minds  were  fixed  upon  it.  We 
have  been  prospered  since  I  saw  you ;  we  have  re- 
ceived about  fifteen  white  and  thirty  black  mem- 
bers; the  assemblies  are  good;  we  feel  it  duty  to 
have  a  series  of  meetings,  though  the  season  is  rather 
unfavourable;  snow  fell  last  night  about  six  inches 
deep,  and  the  country  population  is  so  sparse,  that  it 
is  very  difficult  for  them  to  attend,  but  we  can  de- 


132  MEMOIRS   OF 

pend  upon  the  town,  and  have  another  meeting 
when  it  may  be  more  pleasant  for  the  country.  We 
design  to  commence  next  Sabbath,  with  brother  J. 
B.  Taylor,  of  Richmond,  and  J.  L.  Magoon.  I  hope 
they  will  come. 

"You  ask  after  my  health,  and  with  pleasure  1  can 
tell  you  it  is  very  much  improved:  with  the  excep- 
tion of  occasional  weakness  I  am  quite  well.  I 
preach  every  Sabbath  morning,  lecture  at  night,  also 
on  Wednesday  evening,  and  visit  some.  The  friends 
do  all  in  their  power  to  make  me  happy  and  success- 
ful in  my  labours  among  them. 

"My  love  to  all  the  friends. 

"Yours,         D.  H.  Gillette." 

"Charlottsville,  December  11, 1842. 
"Dear  Brother, — 

"  I  received  your  welcome  epistle  on  Saturday 
evening,  and  was  happy  to  learn  that  your  health 
was  improving  and  your  church  had  so  well  endured, 
though  you  for  a  long  time  have  been  sick,  and  un- 
able to  serve  them.  Doubtless  you  have  learned 
by  experience  now  that  man  is  a  very  frail  piece  of 
creation,  able  to  sustain  but  a  slight  shock  unmoved, 
and,  when  once  shaken,  it  seems  that  we  can  never 
again  become  firm.  By  theory  we  know  how  frail 
we  are,  but  we  seem  to  attach  the  thought  to  all 
others,  till  the  wind  of  destruction  blows  upon  our 
tenement;  then,  indeed,  we  feel  that  a  little  op- 
posing force,  put  into  action  by  Divine  power  and 
skill  can  very  soon  demolish  these  mud  walls  which 
we  hitherto  may  have  thought  ourselves  very  secure 
in  tenanting. 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  133 

"I  have  been  so  powerfully  assailed,  that  when  I 
am  aware  of  no  unfavourable  symptoms,  I  still  tread 
with  trembling  and  caution. — 1  have  always  known 
that  I  must  die,  but  since  the  attack  of  last  winter, 
the  effect  of  which  1  yet  feel,  and  always  expect  to, 

death  has  seemed  very  near  to  me At 

the  close  of  one  week  I  think,  well,  I  am  yet  alive; 
but  at  the  end  of  another  week  I  may  be  gone !  The 
thought  of  my  visible  mortality  prevents  me  from 
planning  for  the  future ;  however,  it  does  not  make  me 
unhappy,  for  I  am  resigned,  I  think,  to  the  will  of 
the  Lord 

"My  health  is  now  much  better  than  once  I  ex- 
pected it  ever  would  be;  it  is  not  rapidly  improving;  I 
never  expect  to  recover  entirely.  It  is  an  embarrass- 
ment in  my  labours,  yet  I  succeed  better  than  I  antici- 
pated. Our  assemblies  are  very  good,  and  we  have 
had  an  accession  of  forty,  since  I  came  here.  Our 
meeting  did  not  begin  last  week  on  account  of  the 
storm ;  we  design  commencing  on  Wednesday  night, 
if  the  weather  will   allow.     Brethren  Taylor  and 

Magoon  are  expected  to  help  us We 

were  much  disappointed  in  not  having  you;  but 
another  time  may  do  as  well,  if  not  better." 

It  is  a  true  saying,  we  know  not  the  value  of 
health  until  deprived  of  it,  and,  when  afflicted  our- 
selves we  then  feel  for  others'  woes.  Our  young 
soldier  of  the  cross  learned,  by  experience,  that  afflic- 
tions were  grievous  to  be  borne,  though  they  were  in 
mercy  sent,  and  that  it  required  grace  and  wisdom 
to  be  at  all  times  reconciled  to  his  frail  condition. 
13 


134  MEMOIRS  OF 

Prosperity  was  in  appearance  at  hand,  both 
spiritual  and  temporal, — but,  alas!  the  want  of  good 
health  was  always  presenting  discouragements  and 
fears.  Instead  of  rejoicing  at  others'  woes,  he  deeply 
lamented  the  condition  of  those  Avho  were  thus 
afflicted,  especially  his  ministering  brethren  ;  but, 
in  the  midst  of  all  his  trials,  he  was  always  ready 
to  say,  "  Let  the  will  of  the  Lord  be  done." 

He  was  often  heard  to  say,  when  by  his  friends 
advised  to  refrain  from  the  work  of  the  ministry,  that 
if  he  could  do  good  in  any  way  it  was  in  preaching, 
and  he  had  no  desire  to  live,  only  that  he  might 
be  useful  to  his  kindred  clay. 

Flattering  prospects  of  the  future  have  a  ten- 
dency to  form  strong  attachments  to  earth.  Imme- 
diately upon  entering  this  new  and  promising  field, 
prosperity  attended  him  in  all  hi^  movements. 
While  he  saw  his  ministry  blessed  to  the  conver- 
sion of  sinners,  he  flattered  himself,  that  his  health 
was  rapidly  improving, — but,  in  the  latter,  he  vvas 
evidently  deceived. 

However  severe  our  afflictions,  it  is  well;  yes,  it  is 
very  well!  The  Judge  of  all  the  earth  does  right. 
Notwithstanding  our  repinings, — repinings!  no!  we 
will  not  repine.  It  was  best  our  brother  should  be 
afflicted,  both  for  us,  for  him,  and  for  the  cause. 
This  we  must  allow.  Do  we  see  it  thus?  0  what 
poor,  ungrateful,  short-sighted  worms  are  we !  We 
will  submit,  and  if  we  do  not  see  it  thus  while  on 
earth,  when  we  get  to  heaven,  we  shall  see  that  God's 
ways  and  wisdom  were  infinitely  better  than  ours. 


RKV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  135 

It  is  common  for  us  to  suppose  that  we  must  die ; 
but  to  bring  death  near,  to  believe   that  we  must 
die   soon,   is    generally  revolting   to   our   feelings. 
For  a  long  time  the  sermons  of  the  subject  of  this 
memoir  were  as  the  sermons  of  one  who  was  con- 
scious that  he  was  rapidly  doing  up  his  work  for 
eternity.     He  preached  and  prayed  as  though  every 
sermon  and  service  were  his  last — as  though  he  were 
delivering  to  his  people  his  dying  charge.  His  heart- 
touching  appeals  to  the  unconverted,  was  an  evidence 
that  he  intended  to  clear  his  garments  of  their  bloods 
He  evidently  lived  near  to  God  in  his  meditations, 
hence  his  preaching  had  a  power  in   it,  a  power 
that  is  seen  only  in  that   minister  who  is  "filled 
with  the  Spirit."    Many  precious  souls,  we  trust,  will 
bless  God  for  ever  that  they  were  brought  under  his 
solemn  ministry;  and  that  it  was  made  a  means  of 
their  conversion  from  sin  to  spiritual  hope  and  joy. 
He  was  labouring  to  fulfil  the  ministry  in  which 
the  Holy  Ghost  had  put  him,  caring  but  little  for  the 
things  that  perish,  but  aiming  and  striving  for  those 
things  which  are  eternal,  at  the  right  hand  of  God, 
even  pleasures,  crowns,  and  sceptres  which  are  for 
evermore. 

'  Sweet  are  the  gifts  which  gracious  Heaven 

On  true  believers  pours ; 
But  the  best  gift  is  grace  to  know 

That  Jesus  Christ  is  ours. 

Our  Jesus !  what  rich  drops  of  blisa 

Descend  in  copious  showers, 
When  ruined  sinners,  such  as  we, 

By  faith  can  call  him  ours! 


136  MEMOIRS   OF 

Differ  we  may  in  age  and  state, 
Learning  and  mental  powers, 

But  all  the  saints  may  join  and  shout, 
Dear  Jesus!  thou  art  ours.'" 


CHAPTER  VIIL 


R  E  V I V  A  L M  A  R  R I  A  G  E. 


"Charlottsville,  Jan.  17th,  1843. 
"Nearly  four  months  have  elapsed  since  the  last 
date  in  my  memorandum.  It  has  pleased  my  hea- 
venly Father  to  spare  my  life,  to  restore  in  a  measure 
my  enfeebled  health.  One  year  ago  this  night  I  was 
prostrate  with  sickness,  from  which  1  was  not  ex- 
pected to  recover.  Then  with  shattered  bleeding 
lungs  not  able  to  speak;  but  now  I  am  able  again  to 
preach  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ.  Why  has 
God  spared  me?  For  his  glory?  I  hope  so;  but  how 
little  have  I  done  for  him,  though  he  has  been  so 
merciful  and  kind  to  me!  I  am  very  happy  in  this 
my  new  relation,  though  a  stranger  in  a  strange  land; 
yet  the  Lord  has  given  me  his  smiles,  and  caused 
his  pleasure  to  prosper  in  my  hands.  It  is  indeed 
cheering  that  he  will  so  honour  such  feeble  and  un- 
worthy instrumentality.  Many  among  us  have  re- 
cently been  converted  to  God,  and  added  to  the 
church,  and  my  earnest  prayer  is  that  the  number 
may  be  increased.  Thirty  coloured  persons  and 
twelve  whites  have  been  baptized  into  the  fellow- 
ship of  the  church  since  I  came  here,  October,  1842. 
May  God  help  me  to  live  more  exclusively  for  him. 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  13f 

I  am  sometimes  a  little  lonely,  in  vieW  of  my  dis- 
tant removal  from  my  dearly  beloved  friends;  I  have 
Q  Friend  who  '  sticketh  closer  than  a  brother;'  him 
may  I  love  with  all  my  heart.  At  times  death 
seems  at  the  door.  And  when  it  seems  so  near  then 
I  feel  better  prepared  to  meet  it.  It  helps  me  to 
preach,  it  kindles  my  soul.  I  can  appeal  to  others  as 
if  standing  on  the  edge  of  the  grave.  I  desire  to  be 
useful  while  I  live.  0  Lord,  thou  art  worthy  of  all 
homage;  to  thee  would  I  give  my  heart:  forgive  my 
sins!  for  Jesus'  sake,  and  save  me  in  thy  kingdom. 
Amen." 

"  Charlottsville,  Jan.  Slst,  1843. 
Dear  Brother, — Your  welcome  message  came 
to  hand  in  due  time,  and  by  it  I  was  admonished  of 
what  my  conscience  often  reproved  me,  but  I  ex- 
cused myself  for  not  writing  on  account  of  multi- 
plied duties;  the  interesting  state  of  my  church,  of 
which  I  wished  to  give  you  a  full  and  fair  account. 
A  more  pleasing  work  of  grace  I  have  never  seen,  or* 
one  more  serviceable  to  a  church  and  satisfactory  to 
the  people.  We  have  been  baptizing  from  the  first 
of  my  residence  here.  During  October,  we  bap- 
tized five,  and  the  next  month  about  thirty.  About 
Christmas  we  felt  it  our  duty  to  consecrate  more 
time  to  the  Lord,  and  invited  some  ministering 
brethren  to  our  aid,  but  they  could  not  come.  We 
began  a  series  of  prayer  meetings,  and  at  the  first 
the  Lord  was  with  us,  there  were  soon  about  twelve 
happy  conversions  of  a  very  interesting  character, 
and  many  more  inquiring  the  way  of  life;  the  con- 
13* 


138  MEMOIR  OF 

Verts  were  soon  baptized,  but  being  rather  e^thausted 
and  fearful  that  my  improving  health  might  again 
suddenly  fail,  we  suspended  meetings  every  night, 
for  a  time;  but  the  inquiry,  what  must  I  do?  in- 
duced us  to  resume,  and  very  soon  several  almost 
miraculous  conversions  occurred.  Week  before  last 
on  Thursday,  Brother  J.  B.  Taylor,  of  Richmond, 
came  to  us,  and  spent  one  week.  His  kind  spirit, 
simple  clear  gospel  sermons  were  blessed  to  us  all, 
and  by  the  welcome  service  of  brother  Fife,  from 
the  country,  we  have  been  able  to  continue  our  meet- 
ings every  night,  and  sometimes  during  the  day,  till 
the  present.  The  number  of  conversions  I  am  un- 
able to  tell.  Many  are  anxious.  The  work  has  not 
yet  stopped,  though  now  it  rains,  and  the  weather 
seems  unfavourable:  still  the  Spirit  we  need  not  quench. 
Many  of  these  additions  have  been  valuable,  bringing 
into  our  ranks  those  who  had  not  been  accustomed 
to  attend  meetings  with  us:  some  of  them  are  among 
the  most  respectable  of  our  citizens.  We  have  can- 
didates to  baptize  next  Sabbath.  Last  Sabbath  week  I 
baptized  a  young  married  couple,  who  were  brought 
up  methodists,  and  sprinkled  in  infancy.  Their  father 
is  a  minister.  I  have  baptized  one  Episcopal  young 
lady,  who  is  a  niece  of  President  Harrison.  The 
excitement  among  the  Pedo-baptists  is  beyond  any 
thing  I  ever  saw,  or  heard  of.  Our  house  is 
crowded  in  fair  weather,  and  the  ingathering 
is  mainly  with  us.  Truth  prevails.  We  have 
three  times  the  number  of  members  that  any 
other  church  have,   and  with   prudence  and  piety 


RtV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  139 

nothing  can  harm  us.  1  have  nothing  to  do  with  con- 
troversy, I  make  no  allusion  to  others  in  my  ser- 
mons, but  preach  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  We 
have  baptized  since  I  came  here  fifty,  received  about 
fifteen  by  letter.  Though  we  cease  now  for  a  few 
days,  yet  we  design  to  resume  our  efforts  again  for 
the  salvation  of  souls  shortly.  I  wish  you  could  be 
with  me  about  one  month.  My  health  is  good,  for 
poor  me.  I  am  able  to  preach  without  much  difficulty, 
though  I  am  obliged  to  be  cautious." 

"I  am  quite  happy  the  Lord  has  crowned  the  la* 
hours  of  my  Hands,  poor  as  they  are.  We  need  a  larger 
and  better  meeting-house;  the  brethren  talk  of  build- 
ing: they  are  abundantly  able.  They  ought  to  build, 
and  no  doubt  will  soon. 

«  My  love  to  all. 

D.  H.  Gillette." 

"CharlottsviUe,  Va.  Feb.  24th,  1843. 
"Bear  Brother  Walter, — 

"I  received  your  kind  letter  in  due  time;  1  would 
have  answered  it  sooner,  had  not  other  duties  for- 
bid. I  have  often  heard  from  your  vicinity,  and 
knew  quite  well  how  you  all  are.  It  cheered  my 
heart  to  hear  what  God  has  done  and  is  yet  doing 
for  yourself  and  others. 

"The  churches  in  Plainfield  I  hear  have  been  much 
refreshed,  and  many  added  to  them. 

"May  the  leaven  spread  through  all  that  country 
the  world  over,*and  fill  it  with  the  glory  of  God.  I 
also  learn  that  your  flock  are  enjoying  mercy  drops. 
I  hope  they  may  multiply  to  an  abundant  shower, 
that  many  souls  may  be  given  you  for  the  Lord. 


140  MEMOIRS  OF 

"  I  wish  you  could  have  been  with  me  this  winter. 
We  have  enjoyed  a  revival  from  the  first  of  my 
coming  here,  but  I  have  had  no  help  except  about 
two  weeks:  we  have  held  constant  prayer-meetings. 
I  have  preached  what  I  could  for  several  weeks- 
Many  were  the  most  interesting  conversions  I  ever 
witnessed.  More  when  I  had  no  help,  than  when  I 
had.  Could  you  have  been  here  about  two  months- 
it  is  very  probable  that  some  hundreds  would  have 
been  borrt  again,  but  m}'-  feeble  health  would  not  al- 
low me  to  labour  much.  I  should  have  written  for 
you,  but  about  that  time  I  heard  that  you  had  gone 
to  west  Jersey.  We  should  have  paid  you  well  for 
it,  and  the  Lord  would  have  paid  you  better.  Since 
I  came  out  here  we  have  baptized  about  fifty-five,  and 
have  some  twenty  more  candidates,  many  asking 
what  they  must  do  to  be  saved.  I  am  very  happy 
here,  my  health  is  better  than  I  once  expected  it 
ever  would  be. 

"  I  wish  you  might  come  to  this  country,  there  is 
such  a  field  for  usefulness,  and  you  would  like  the  peo- 
ple so  well. 

"I  shall  be  at  your  place  about  the  twentieth  of 
April,  should  the  Lord  allow.  Hold  yourself  ready 
for  any  lawful  or  ministerial  action,  as  we  now  ex- 
pect to  be  married  about  the  twenty-sixth  of  April. 
You  and  yours  must  be  with  us. 

«  D.  H.  Gillette." 

"Charlottsville,  Feb.  24th,  1843. 

"Dear  Sister  Ely, 

"1  did  not  design  to  be  so  long  silent  when  I  last 
wrote,  but  my  duties  have  been  so  numerous  and  im- 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  141 

perative  that  I  have  been  obliged  to  defer.  Let  this 
pass  for  one  omission.  I  have  frequently  heard 
from  your  vicinity,  and  the  intelligence  has  been 
very  cheering.  It  does  my  soul  good  to  hear  of  the 
glorious  work  of  God  among  you,  in  converting  souls 
and  in  building  up  that  church.  I  believe  God  has 
destined  to  have  many  people  in  that  town.  We  can- 
not call  any  people  God's  people  in  every  sense  of  the 
word,  except  they  obey  all  his  commands,  and  what 
people  do  this  so  nearly  as  the  Baptists?  I  hope  the 
time  is  not  distant  when  that  church  will  be  large 
and  influential,  but  very  much  depends  upon  her 
members.  How  much  piety  Baptists  need,  for  they 
meet  with  much  opposition.  They  require  the  Spirit 
and  power  of  God  to  sustain  them.  I  most  fervently 
pray  that  brother  Breed,  your  pastor,  may  do  you  all 
much  good  and  win  many  souls  to  Christ.  May  God 
help  him.  I  have  heard  and  am  made  to  rejoice  in  the 
work  of  grace  at  Samptowa  and  that  vicinity;  espe- 
cially that  one  dear  to  me  has  been  a  sharer.  God 
has  converted  her  soul.  I  never  saw  a  better  spirit 
than  she  breathed  after  professing  conversion,  in  the 
letter  she  wrote  me.  This  has  kindled  a  bright  spot 
in  my  future  prospects. 

"  I  have  a  regard  for  you  far  superior  to  that  of  a 
common  friend.  As  I  have  often  said,  you  are  my 
mother^  sister  and  friend,  and  in  due  regard  to  all 
these  relations,  I  still  feel  a  high  esteem  for  you. 
My  health  is  much  improved,  yes,  nearly,  but  not 
quite  perfect.  I  preach  vvithout  interruption,  and  the 
blessings  God  has  been  pleased  to  give  us,  tend  much 
to  encourage  and  elevate  my,  mind.     I  have  never 


142  MEMOIRS  OF 

been  more  happy  than  this  winter,  though  at  times 
very  lonely,  being  so  far  from  those  friends  I  love 
so  well:  but  God  has  been  with  me,  and  this  has  been 
a  full  compensation. 

"  We  have  had  a  revival  nearly  all  the  time  since 
I  came  here.  Our  congregations  are  overflowing 
when  the  weather  will  allow,  I  think  I  never  had 
more  of  the  holy  unction  in  preaching;  my  sickness 
has  been  sanctified.  I  look  upon  death  as  my  next 
door  neighbour.  What  I  do  must  be  done  quickly, 
though  I  now  feel  so  well ;  yet  I  cannot  and  I  hope 
I  may  never  forget  the  time  when  over  me  you  so 
fondly  bent;  watched  my  throbbing  pulse,  beating 
heart,  and  apparently  waning  life :  and  though  God 
blessed  the  means  and  has  so  far  restored  me,  yet 
life  now  seems  as  it  never  did  before,  a  mere  vapour, 
a  cloud,  a  shadow,  and  my  desire  is  to  improve  it 
for  the  glory  of  God. 

"0!  how  happy  you  would  have  been  with  us; 
such  conversions!  the  burdens  would  roll  off  from 
those  who  had  long  been  mourning,  and  so  great  the 
change  that  during  service  passing  from  death  unto 
life,  they  would  sJiout  aloud  and  praise  God. 

"We  need  much  grace;  we  have  about  four  hun- 
dred members.  I  expect  to  see  you  in  about  eight 
weeks,  if  the  Lord  will ;  should  any  thing  compel  us 
to  alter  our  plans,  you  shall  know  it  in  season. 

"  Love  to  your  family  and  the  friends  generally, 
while, 

"  I  am  as  ever  yours, 

D.  H.  Gillette." 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  143 

MEMORANDUM. 

March  24. 

'•It  has  pleased  God  to  prolong  my  life  to  the  thirti- 
eth year.  I  have  long  lived,  but  apparently  done  lit- 
tle good.  It  is  nearly  six  months  since  I  came  here, 
and,  unworthy  as  I  am,  the  Lord  has  blessed  my 
feeble  efforts  to  the  salvation  of  many  souls.  Since 
I  have  settled  we  have  baptized  sixty-six,  and  there 
are  many  waiting  to  follow  the  example  of  their 
blessed  Lord. 

I  have  been  quite  ill  the  last  few  weeks,  much  af- 
flicted with  a  cold,  which  produced  a  violent  cough ; 
I  am  much  better.  I  have  little  to  live  for  but  the 
glory  of  God,  and  if  it  please  him,  I  hope  yet  to  be 
able  to  point  many  souls  to  the  Lamb  that  taketh  away 
the  sin  of  the  world. 

"  I  hope  I  may  soon  see  this  whole  region  moved 
by  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  multitudes  converted:  for  I 
feel  that  the  coming  of  my  Lord  draweth  nigh.  May 
all  be  ready. 

"0  Lord,  may  I  watch  and  pray  that  I  enter  not  into 
temptation.  Give  me  thy  Spirit  and  grace,  that  at 
last  I  may  enter  upon  the  rest  that  remaineth  for  the 
people  of  God.     Jlmen.^^ 

The  young  lady  to  whom  he  had  given  his  warm- 
est affections,  and  to  whom  he  was  married,  accord- 
ing to  the  following  record  by  himself,  \yas  Miss 
Mary  Ann  Wells,  daughter  of  Mr.  George  and  Mrs. 
Mary  Wells,  recently  of  New  York,  now  of  Plain- 
field,  Essex  County,  New  Jersey,  worthy  members, 
formerly  in  Gold  Street,  New  York,  now  of  the  first 
Baptist  Church  in  Plainfield,  under  the  pastoral  care 
of  Rev.  S.  .T.  Drake. 


144  MEMOIRS  OF 

He  writes  in  his  memorandum  book  as  follows: 

«  Charlottsville,  June  12th,  1843. 
"  Since  my  last  record,  I  have  not  been  able  to  re- 
alize all  I  then  anticipated.     My  poor  health  had  been 
improving,  and   it  seemed  that  before  this  time  I 
should  have  been  restored. 

"  But  God  has  ordered  otherwise.  I  am  yet  fee- 
ble, and  have  been  since  the  second  week  in  March* 
1  have  a  severe  cough,  and  have  been  attacked  seve- 
ral times  with  spitting  of  blood,  which  is  rather  an 
alarming  symptom.  But  in  all  this  I  feel  resigned 
to  the  will  of  the  Lord,  who  cannot  do  amiss. 

"  I  am  improving,  howefver,  and  have  for  the  last 
five  weeks  preached  once  on  each  Sabbath.  I  hope 
it  is  the  Lord's  pleasure,  that  soon  I  may  be  able  to 
preach  twice  on  the  Sabbath.  On  the  25th  of  April 
I  left  this  place  for  the  north.  I  reached  New  Jer- 
sey on  the  2Sth,  and  on  the  4th  of  May,  I  was 
married  by  my  brother,  Rev.  Walter  B.  Gillette, 
to  a  lady  whom  I  had  long  and  tenderly  loved.  We 
spent  several  weeks  in  visiting  friends,  and  returned 
to  this  place  June  7th.  We  are  both  quite  happy  in 
this  new  relation,  and  in  this  new  field  of  labour,  and 
nothing  but  the  want  of  confirmed  health,  prevents 
my  being  almost  perfectly  happy.  Since  we  re- 
turned thirty- six  have  been  baptized  and  others  are 
also  reac^\  I  find  it,  indeed,  very  difficult  to  enjoy 
my  mind  in  religion  so  much  when  afflicted  as  when 
I  am  well,  but  no  doubt  this  serves  as  a  restraint; 
for  were  I  perfectly  well,  and  prospered,  I  might  be- 
come proud,  and  forget  God. 

"  0  may  such  never  be  the  case!  never,  no  never; 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  145 

when  away  from  his  throne,  all  is  darkness;  but  when 
there  all  is  light  and  glorious. 

"It  is  my  prayer  that  I  may  glosify  Gon  in  all 
things.  Sometimes  I  think  my  work  nearly  done. 
If  so,  may  I  at  last  exhibit  the  salutary  influence  of 
Christianity." 

After  this  young  couple's  marriage  they  spent  a 
few  days  in  visiting  their  friends,  in  New  Jersey, 
and  then  went  to  Washington  Co.,  New  York,  the 
place  of  his  birth,  to  visit  his  aged  mother  and  two 
sisters  who  reside  in  that  vicinity.  Their  stay 
was  short;  the  cold,  damp,  north  winds  of  May 
evidently  affected  his  diseased  lungs,  which  made 
him  very  anxious  to  return  south;  and  he  could 
never  content  himself  in  idleness,  when  he  was  sa- 
tisfied that  in  any  place  God  had  a  work  for  him  to 
do.  He  had  left  a  promising  field,  without  any  la- 
borer to  fill  his  place:  to  it  he  was  anxious  to  return. 

They  soon  bade  their  loving  friends  farewell,  and 
started  for  their  home  in  the  south  in  good  spirits, 
and  with  flattering  prospects,  where  as  we  shall  soon 
see  they  safely  arrived. 

«  CharlottsvOIe,  June,  1843. 
"  Dear  Brother  A. 

"  After  leaving  you  we  were  safely  conveyed  to 
Washington.  The  next  morning  we  took  steamboat. 
The  cool  breeze  of  the  day  and  night  previous  had 
not  yet  subsided;  we  were  pierced  with  a  chillino- 
atmosphere  all  the  way  down  the  Potomac,  though 
on  the  whole  the  sail  was  rather  interesting,  especial- 
ly so  to  Mary,  as  this  was  her  first  tour  south.  But 
when  we  entered  the  cars,  the  heat  began  to  be  more 
14 


146     1  MEMOIRS  or 

perceptible,  and  before  reaching  Richmond,  it  was 
very  oppressive. 

"  By  this  tinie  I  was  much  exhausted;  we  found  a 
hearty  welcome,  however,  and  good  quarters:  every 
thing  was  done  to  make  us  happy.  I  was  frequently 
invited  to  preach  and  participate  in  other  interests 
and  services  of  the  association. 

"  Three  afternoons  I  kept  my  bed.  After  an  har- 
monious close  of  the  meeting  the  previous  night,  my- 
self and  wife  left  on  Wednesday  morning,  and 
reached  here  in  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day.  We 
were  welcomed  home  with  much  cordiality,  and 
found  matters  pleasant  both  in  church  and  society. 

"  Last  Lord's  day  thirty-five  were  baptized,  and 
became  members  of  the  church ;  others  are  waiting 
for  an  opportunity  to  follow  the  same  example. 
Since  last  October  we  have  received  one  hundred 
and  thirty.  I  have  preached  the  last  two  Lord's 
days,  and  my  health  seems  much  improved.  I 
preach  but  once  in  the  week,  and  in  the  morning. 

"  The  citizens  have  been  very  attentive  indeed. 
Mary  has  no  time  to  be  home-sick,  or  lonely.  Her 
attention  has  been  totally  absorbed;  we  have  visited 
Monticello,  where  she  viewed  the  world  with  feel- 
ings of  rapture;  to-day  we  have  been  into  the  coun- 
try, to  Mr.  Parish's,  where  we  enjoyed  a  very  plea- 
sant visit  in  a  very  romantic  spot.  She  is  much 
pleased  and  seems  quite  happy,  indeed  much  more 
so  than  I  anticipated.  This  is  a  beautiful  country. 
It  would  do  you  good  to  be  here  now  and  revel  in 
the  rich  scenery,  and  our  other  good  things.  But 
alas!  these  are  vanity. — Yours, 

«D.  H.  Gillette." 


REV.  D.  H.   GILLETTE.  147 

EXTRACTS. 

*'I  hesitated  very  much  about  going  north;  but 
the  thought  that  I  might  never  again  see  my  be- 
Soved  mother  induced  me  to  encounter  all  obstacles, 
and  make,  at  least,  a  passing  visit.  Be  assured  that 
it  would  have  given  me  more  pleasure  to  have  visit- 
ed you,  than  any  other  person,  except  my  mother 
and  sisters;  but  such  were  circumstances  that  it  be- 
came impracticable.  Before  going  North  the  wea- 
ther v«^as  unpleasant,  and  my  health  very  delicate  ; 
after  we  returned  time  would  not  allow.  You  must 
not  think  that  we  have  no  love  for  you.  There  is 
no  mortal  except  a  near  relative  for  whom  I  have  so 
great  regard  as  for  yourself.  I  shall  never  forget 
you,  nor  can  I  think  of  you  v/ith  any  feeling  except 
of  deep  affection.  It  was  you  who  stood  by  my  side, 
smoothed  my  pillow,  and  administered  consolation 
and  relief.  I  looked  upon  you  as  an  angel  of  mercy, 
and  the  thought  of  that  time  yet  burns  in  my  memo- 
ry— can  I  forget  you?  As  soon  could  I  forget  the 
mother  who  gave  me  birth.  May  you  long  live  and 
do  as  you  have  done.  I  hope  we  may  meet  again. 
I  hope  you  will  visit  us.  You  would  be  happy  here. 
Mary  and  I  often  speak  of  you.  We  left  New  Jer- 
sey c^  Wednesday,  June  1st,  when  a  mother  and 
daughter,  and  also  a  father  learned  something  of  the 
pain  of  parting  for  a  time.  That  day  we  reached 
Philadelphia,  found  brother  and  family  well;  we  left 
them  on  Friday,  and  on  Saturday  evening  reached 
the  city  of  Richmond  and  attended  the  anniversaries 
of  Virginia.  The  next  Wednesday  morning  we  left 
and  reached  here  in  the  afternoon.     My  health  is 


148  MEMOins  or 

somewhat  iiriproved.  I  have  preached  every  Sab- 
bath since  I  returned.  My  cough  has  been  very  se- 
vere till  within  the  last  few  days  it  is  much  decreased, 
and  I  hope  it  may  pass  off;  for  it  is  a  great  affliction, 
and  I  could  not  have  endured  it  much  longer.  But 
God  doeth  all  things  well.  My  general  health 
seems  much  better. 

"Mary  is  much  pleased  with  the  country  and 
people  here. 

"  I  heard  of  the  death  of  Jonathan  Ross,  and  am 
pleased  to  know  that  he  left  life,  rejoicing  in  Christ. 

"Who  is  your  preacher?  Give  my  love  to  your 
dear  family,  and  all  other  friends, — and  know  that 
as  ever, 

"  1  am  your  sincere  friend, 

D.  H.  Gillette." 

"Charlotlsville,  August  28th,  1843. 
"  Dear  Brother  Walter, 

"Do  not  think  I  have  forgotten  you,  though  so  long 
silent.  I  would  have  written  sooner,  but  I  knew  that 
you  must  often  hear  from  us  through  Mr.  Welk,  as 
Mary  often  writes  to  her  mother. 

<"  We  had  a  safe  and  pleasant  trip  south,  spent  two 
nights  and  one  day  in  Philadelphia,  and  three  days  in 
Richmond.  One  week  from  the  day  we  left  New  Jer- 
sc}^,  we  were  here.  I  became  much  fatigued,  but  af- 
ter resting  some  days,  I  was  refreshed  and  improved. 
The  weather  has  been  almost  insuffevably  warm:  many 
days  have  been  from  ten  to  fifteen  degrees  hotter 
than  I  ever  before  experienced.  A  great  drought 
prevailed  here  in  July,  and  threatened  to  destroy  the 


REV.  D.  II.  GILLETTE*  149 

crops,  hut  the  rains  of  August  have  brought  them 
to  life  and  verdure  again. 

'•l  have  rode  much  on  horseback,  among  tlie  hills, 
and  my  health  has  improved,  though  my  cough  yet 
troubles  me.  I  have  preached  every  Lord's  day  oncCj 
and  find  myself  stronger  at  every  succeeding  ser- 
vice. 

"Last  week  was  our  Association.  The  business 
was  done  in  the  meeting-house,  the  preaching  and 
devotional  services  were  in  a  grove.  I  preached  once 
to  about  two  thousand  people.  It  was  my  first  ser- 
mon in  the  bushes.  I  think  I  sustained  no  injury 
from  it.  I  wish  you  had  been  here ;  it  would  have 
done  your  soul  good  to  see  and  to  preach  to  so  many 
attentive  listeners.  An  arbour  was  made  very  large, 
to  break  off  the  sun,  and  a  very  good  pulpit  was 
reared  at  one  end  of  it. 

"This  Association  has  received  by  baptism  the 
last  year  more  than  eight  hundred  souls,  and  our 
church  one  hundred  and  twenty-eight,  being  more 
than  any  other  church  of  the  Association. 

"  I  understand  by  letter  from  Rah  way,  that  they 
have  called  a  Brother  Rollinson  to  become  their 
pastor.  I  hope  that  he  will  do  them  good — I  was 
pleased  that  they  sent  me  his  fourth  of  July  Oration. 

"  Yours  affectionately, 

D.  H.  Gillette." 

"Charlottsville,  Sep.  18th,  1843. 
"  Dear  Brother  A., 

"  It  is  rather  out  of  character  that  I  have  not  written 
before,  but  just  consider  when  once  a  man  is  mar- 
ried then  he  takes  a  little  world  upon  his  shoulders; 
14» 


150  MEMOIRS  OF 

and  to  manage  its  alTairs  skilfully  is  the  height  of  his 
ambition,  and  future  prosperity  depends  much  upon 
the  outset. 

"Our  congregations  are  large  and  attentive  to  the 
word,  but  few  seem  to  feel  properly  for  poor  sin- 
ners.    I  hope  it  will  not  be  so  long. 

"I  have  been  all  summer  an  afflicted  man,  and 
must  expect  to  be  through  life — be  it  long  or  short. 
I  have  been  able  to  preach  but  once  a  week,  and  not 
able  to  attend  any  of  their  prayer-meetings.  I  have 
suffered  much,  but  the  Lord  has  sustained  me,  and 
my  spirits  have  not  failed.  I  have  looked  on  the 
brishtest  side  of  the  scene. 

"The  past  has  been  a  happy  year  for  this  church; 
the  most  so  it  ever  knew.  Its  members  have  in- 
creased one  third,  its  congregation  is  about  twice 
as  large  as  formerly.  This  week  will  close  my  first 
year  with  them  :  they  are  more  able  and  prosperous 
every  way  than  when  I  came  here. 

"  The  season  has  been  very  warm,  and  it  is  so  to- 
day. This  is  a  lovely  country.  I  have  been  much 
among  the  farmers:  I  expect  we  shall  go  out  to-mor- 
row and  spend  a  few  days. 

"Your  affectionate  brother, 

D.  H.  Gillette." 

As  the  cool  weather  commenced,  and  the  damp 
winds  of  autumn  began  to  blow,  they  affected  him 
very  visibly:  his  cough  increased,  attended  with 
much  weakness  and  debility.  His  friends,  fearing 
that  the  cold  winter  as  it  approached  would  prove 
fatal  to  him,  advised  him  to  go  farther  south,  to 
spend  a  few  months.     This  was  a  severe  trial:  he 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  151 

was  much  attached  to  the  people  in  Virginia  and 
the  place.  There  he  had  seen  the  pleasure  of  the 
Lord  prosper  through  his  instrumentality.  And 
now  to  leave  and  take  a  long  tedious  journey,  far 
south  among  strangers,  in  his  feeble  state  of  health, 
required  much  fortitude  and  decision;  but  after 
making  it  a  subject  of  prayer  and  consulting  with 
some  skilful  physicians,  he  concluded  to  go,  and  trust 
to  Providence  for  the  result ;  as  he  writes  in  the  fol- 
lowing letter. 

"Nov.  17th,  1843. 

"Dear  Brother  A, — 

"  My  health  is  much  the  same  as  when  I  last 
wrote  to  you.  I  have  a  very  bad  cough,  and  ex- 
pectorate profusely.  I  preach  once  each  week,  and 
have  done  so  all  the  summer.  I  do  not  think  it  in- 
jures me.  The  church  appear  to  be  much  attached 
to  me,  and  are  willing  to  do  any  thing  for  my  com- 
fort, as  you  will  discover  from  this.  They  are  very 
anxious  for  my  health,  and  have  offered  to  aid  me 
in  any  way  to  improve  it.  The  winter  winds  here 
are  very  strong,  and  to  escape  them,  they  have  ad- 
vised me  to  spend  the  winter  farther  south,  with  the 
offer  that  my  salary  shall  continue  for  my  support. 
This  is  truly  liberal.  I  have  finally  resolved  to  com- 
ply, and  will  now  tell  you  my  prospects  and  plans. 
I  design  to  spend  the  winter  with  my  wife  in  the 
city  of  Mobile,  Alabama.  The  Baptist  church  there 
was  bereft  of  its  pastor  in  September.  1  know  some 
of  its  members.  They  ascertaining  that  I  thought  of 
going  south,  sent  me  a  letter  last  evening,  requesting 
me  to  visit  them.     They  say  that  my  expenses  shall 


152  MEMOIRS  OF 

be  met,  at  all  events,  and  if  I  am  able  to  supply 
them,  I  shall  be  well  rewarded. 

'«My  first  object  in  visiting  them  is  the  improve- 
ment of  health.  It  is  said  to  be  a  fine  winter  cli- 
mate, fanned  by  constant  south  winds,  from  the 
gulf  of  Mexico.  I  do  not  go  with  the  design  of 
leaving  this  churcii,  it  would  grieve  them  if  they 
thought  so,  and  I  love  them  too  devotedly  to  give 
them  undue  anxiety. 

"I  would  be  happy  to  see  you  before  leaving,  but 
it  is  getting  cold  and  stormy,  and  if  I  go  this  season, 
I  must  start  soon  as  possible.  It  seems  strange  that 
I  am  obliged  to  resort  to  so  many  wa3'-s  for  my 
health.  'But  all  that  a  man  hath  will  he  give  for 
his  life.' 

"If  seasonable,  I  shall  leave  next  week  for  Mobile. 
Soon  after  1  arrive  I  will  write  to  you.  Your  es- 
teemed brother,  D.  H.  Gillette." 

"Charlottsville,  Virginia,  Nov.  20lh,  1812. 
"Mr  VERY  DEAR  FaTHER-IN-LAW, 

"Though  this  is  the  first  time  I  have  written  to 
you  since  our  marriage,  yet  the  delay  has  not  been 
from  want  of  due  filial  regard,  nor  because  it  would 
have  afibrded  me  no  pleasure:  circumstances  have 
been  of  such  a  nature  that  it  seemed  hardly  requi- 
site for  me  to  write  to  you  sooner.  Your  beloved 
daughter  I  knew  was  a  faithful  correspondent  with 
her  dear  mother,  and  knowing  that  she  would  not 
fail  to  tell  you  all  about  myself,  I  have  left  the 
writing  with  her  till  the  present. 

"But  now  let  me  talk  a  little  with  you.  We  are 
very  happily  situated:  a  more  beautiful  and  fertile 
country  I  never  saWj  and  one  in  the  enjoyment  of 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  153 

good  health  has.it  in  his  power  to  be  happy,  almost 
to  perfection.  The  people  of  this  town  and  vicinity- 
are  attentive  and  kind  to  every  possible  degree,  and 
cheerfully  make  ever}'^  effort  to  render  us  comfort- 
able and  happy. 

"In  respect  to  the  church  of  which  I  have  the 
honour  to  be  pastor,  it  is  scarcely  equalled.  I 
could  not  wish  a  people  more  devoted,  and  at- 
tached to  myself  and  wife.  It  seems  to  be  their 
study  to  make  us  contented,  useful,  and  happy.  I 
have  abundant  reason  for  gratitude  to  my  heavenly 
Father,  for  casting  my  lot  among  them. 

"  The  last  year  with  me  presents  a  very  chequered 
scene.  I  have  been  much  afflicted  with  sickness, 
and  blessed  with  some  health,  and  much  prosperity 
in  Zion.  During  the  last  year  we  have  baptized  one 
hundred  and  thirty  into  the  fellowship  of  the  church. 
Attention  to  the  gospel  which  I  h5ve  presented  in 
much  weakness,  has  been  exceedingly  good. 

"  Nothing  on  the  part  of  the  people  has  occurred 
of  which  I  could  complain;  and  certainly  I  cannot 
murmur  against  God,  let  him  deal  with  me  as  he 
may. 

"  I  have  preached  once  each  week  during  the  sea- 
son thus  far,  and  feel  better  than  I  did  a  few  weeks 
since;  but  I  am  still  afflicted  with  a  perplexing 
cough,  which  I  feel  extremely  anxious  to  remove. 
I  have  been  advised  by  the  church  to  spend  the 
coming  winter  farther  south:  they  are  so  desirous 
that  I  may  become  entirely  well,  that  they  offer  to 
let  me  go  the  whole  winter  where  I  may  enjoy  a 
warm  climate.     They  will   continue   my  salary   as 


154  MEMOIRS  OF 

though  I  were  serving  them.  I  have  resolved  to  do 
so.  With  this  step  my  dear  wife  perfectly  agrees; 
and  though  we  arc  Iioth  reluctant  to  leave  so  plea- 
sant a  home  for  six  months,  yet  we  have  no  douht 
that  we  shall  find  warm-hearted  friends,  even  in  the 
distant  south. 

"  I  have  been  urgently  invited  to  visit  the  city  of 
Mobile  in  Alabama,  situated  on  a  branch  of  the  gulf 
of  Mexico.  The  first  Baptist  church  there  has  no 
pastor;  he  died  last  September.  They  press  me  to 
visit  them  :  1  shall  do  so,  if  the  Lord  will.  We  de- 
sign to  start  this  week:  it  will  be  about  seven  days' 
journey,  and  is  about  twelve  hundred  miles.  I  do 
not  go  to  become  their  pastor;  my  object  is  the  im- 
provement of  my  health ;  and  indeed  this  church 
would  not  be  willing  to  release  me  but  for  a  season. 
1  trust  to  the  providence  of  God  for  my  future  course. 
I  have  thus  far  b6en  prospered,  and  hope  I  may  con- 
tinue to  be  to  the  close  of  mj^  life. 

"  Myself  and  dear  wife  often  speak  of  yourself, 
mother,  Adelia  and  the  boys.  It  would  afibrd  us 
pleasure  to  see  you.  Though  we  cannot  now  meet,  we 
can  hold  sweet  converse  by  letter,  and  learn  how  you 
are.  We  never  forget  you  at  the  throne  of  Grace, 
praying  that  in  advanced  life,  you  may  both  be 
strong  in  the  faith  of  Christ,  and  well  prepared  by 
grace  for  all  that  awaits  you. 

"  Mary  is  well,  and  apparently  happy.  She  is 
quite  useful  in  the  church,  and  much  esteemed.  She 
joins  me  in  love  to  you  all.  You  shall  hear  from  us 
soon  after  we  reach  our  place  of  destination, 

"Your  attached  son,  D.  H.  Gillette." 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  155 

Alas!  how  uncertain  is  the  future.  Faintly  hoping 
that  a  more  southern  climate  would  be  of  use  to  his 
health,  and  influenced  by  the  persuasion  of  friends ; 
our  dear  brother  prepared  to  leave  Charlottsville, 
to  whose  people  he  was  strongly  attached.  Indeed, 
there  was  a  variety  of  reasons  why  his  fond  heart 
should  linger  around  that  beautiful  place,  and  those 
zealous  disciples  and  friends,  who  had  ever  proved 
from  his  first  coming  among  them  their  unfeigned 
love  for  him  and  his. 

Great  success  had  attended  his  ministry:  many 
had  been  by  him  there  won  to  Christ,  who  looked 
to  him  as  a  spiritual  teacher  and  guide.  The  very 
place  was  hallowed  to  him;  but  "we  have  here  no 
continuing  city  or  abiding  place."  Nov.  24th,  he 
and  his  young  wife  took  leave  for  Mobile,  Alabama. 
They  journeyed  most  of  the  long  distance  by  stage, 
and  passed  through  the  principal  cities  of  the  southern 
states.  After  two  weeks'  exposure  to  fatigue,  and 
wet,  they  arrived,  strangers  among  strangers,  but 
were  soon  convinced  that  they  were  surrounded  by 
those  "  who  were  made  nigh  by  the  blood  of  Christ." 

Here  a  new  scene  was  before  him ;  all  was  uncer- 
tain; whether  he  should  be  strengthened  to  labour, 
or  find  an  early  grave;  but  he  seemed  prepared  for 
either,  and  was  willing  to  live  for  his  Master's  glory  ; 
believing  that  to  live  was  Christ,  and  to  die  would 
be  gain:  he  would  ofteii  say,  however,  that  he  "  had 
a  desire  to  depart,  and  be  with  Christ,  which  was  far 
better." 

Our  young  but  sorely  wounded  soldier  of  the 
cross  was  now  in  a  southern  commercial  city,  at  the 


156  MEMOIRS  OF 

busiest  season;  he  saw  iniquity  abounding,  and  souls 
pressing  towards  ruin,  and  few  to  warn  them  of  dan- 
ger, or  point  them  to  Christ;  to  these  he  longed  for 
strength  to  publish  the  gospel  of  the  kingdom  with 
power  from  on  high.  He  had  not  laboured  long  in 
any  one  place,  yet  every  where  success  had  marvel- 
lously crowned  his  feeble  efforts:  this  encouraged 
him  to  believe  that  if  here  he  could  preach,  here  also 
would  prosperity  follow. 

A  few  months  before,  his  brother  A.  D.  Gillette, 
pastor  of  the  Eleventh  Baptist  Church,  Philadelphia, 
had  been  unanimously  elected  Chaplain  to  the  Vir- 
ginia University  at  Charlottsville,  with  some  pros- 
pect of  his  accepting  the  important  trust.  Daniel  had 
hoped  for  it,  ardently  desiring  that  in  the  event  of  his 
own  failure,  his  brother  would  be  able  to  preach  once 
on  Lord's  day  for  the  church,  the  University  re- 
quiring but  one  service.  Protracted  illness  during  the 
last  year,  had  kept  that  brother  four  months  from  pas- 
toral privileges  among  the  people  of  his  charge,  and 
the  nine  months'  additional  absence  consequent  upon 
the  acceptance  of  the  Chaplaincy,  was  too  long  a  se- 
paration to  suit  his  own,  or  the  feelings  of  the  dear 
people,  between  whom  and  himself  an  attachment 
for  several  years  had  been  steadily  maturing.  All 
that  had  been  hoped  by  this  arrangement,  was  soon 
realized  in  the  unanimous  election,  and  speedy  ac- 
ceptance to  that  office,  of  the  author  of  the  following 
lines,  which  as  our  young  brother  would  be  journey- 
ing where  he  was  not  known,  the  Chaplain  kindly 
placed  at  his  disposal. 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  157 

"University  of  Virginia,  Nov.  20,  1843. 

"  Learning  that  the  Rev.  D.  H.  Gillette,  pastor  of 
the  Baptist  church  in  Charlottsville,  contemplates  vi- 
siting the  south  this  winter  for  the  benefit  of  his 
health,  it  gives  me  sincere  pleasure  to  recommend 
him  to  all  whom  he  may  meet  with,  as  a  Christian 
brother  of  real  worthy  and  as  one  who  is  held  in  very 
high  esteem,  by  all  who  know  him.  It  is  with  the 
deepest  regret  that  his  church  and  acquaintances  part 
with  him;  indeed  the  people  of  his  charge  are  filled 
with  grief  at  the  necessity  of  his  departure,  consent- 
ing to  his  absence  only  because  their  solicitude  for 
his  welfare  outweighs  every  other  feeling  or  conside- 
ration. 

"May  he  find,  as  he  deserves,  many  true-hearted 
friends  in  his  absence :  but  more  especially  that  for 
which  he  so  reluctantly  goes  forth,  and  for  which  the 
prayers  of  his  friends  will  continually  ascend,  the  com- 
plete restoration  of  his  health. 

"E.  G.  Robinson, 
Chaplain  of  the  University  of  Virginia." 

It  afibrds  solace  to  riven  and  bereft  hearts,  to  be 
able  to  give,  as  an  exhibition  of  the  kind  feelings  of 
the  gentlemen  whose  names  are  appended,  the  fol- 
lowing commendatory  letters. 

"  Cliarlottsville,  Virginia,  November  23d,  1843. 
"Inasmuch  as  God  in  his  all-wise  providence,  has 
laid  his  afflicting  hand  on  our  esteemed  and  beloved 
pastor,  the  Rev.  D.  H.  Gillette,  by  so  far  depriving 
him  of  health  and  strength,  as  to  render  it  necessary 
for  him  to  seek  a  milder  climate  during  the  ensuing 
winter;  although  it  is  with  regret  and  tears,  that  we 
15 


158  MEMOIRS  OF 

submit  to  its  dictates,  yet  we  feel  that  duty  demands 
that  we  shall  assent  to  the  separation  until  the  re- 
turn of  a  milder  season. 

"  This  is,  therefore,  to  certify  that  Brother  Gillette 
is  a  member  in  full  fellowship  of  the  Baptist  Church 
of  Charlottsville,  Virginia;  and  to  commend  him 
most  cordially  and  affectionately  to  the  kind  regards 
and  Christian  sympathy  of  all  with  whom  he  may 
meet. 

"As  a  church  we  are  attached  to  our  beloved 
brother,  not  only  because  of  perfect  congeniality  of 
views  and  feelings,  but  also  because  of  the  rich  bless- 
ings which  have  followed  his  labours  amongst  us; 
and  because  he  sustains  the  relation  of  a  spiritual  fa- 
ther to  many  of  us.  We  deeply  sympathize  with 
him  in  his  afflictions,  and  are  peculiarly  affected  by 
the  dispensation  of  a  mysterious  but  unerring 
Providence,  which  deprives  us  of  his  labours  and 
counsels.  Yet  we  are  happy  in  the  reflection,  that 
we  shall  mutually  share  the  protection  and  blessing 
of  our  common  Lord  and  Father,  who  will  supply 
all  who  faithfully  serve  him,  with  *  grace  sufficient 
unto  the  day.' 

"Done  in  behalf  of  the   church,  this  23d  day  of 
November,  1843. 

Alex.  Pope  Abell, 

Church  Clerk." 

"Richmond,  Nov.  27th,  1843. 

"This  is  to  certify  that  the  Rev.  D.  H.  Gillette, 

now  on  his  way  to  Alabama,  is  a  brother  beloved  by 

the  churches,  and  entitled  to  the  confidence  and  warm 

Christian  regard  of  all  among  whom,  in  his  absence 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  159 

from  home,  he  may  be  thrown.  Having  suffered 
with  a  tendency  to  pulmonary  affection,  he  has  been 
advised  by  physicians  and  friends  to  spend  the  win-, 
ter  in  a  more  genial  clime,  with  the  hope  that  his 
health  may  be  restored.  The  church  in  Charlotts- 
ville  of  this  state,  have  consented  to  relinquish  his 
pastoral  services  for  a  season,  expecting  him  to  re- 
sume them  in  the  spring. 

"I  trust,  as  I  doubt  not,  he  will  receive  a  cordial 
welcome  among  the  brethren  at  the  south.  Any  fa- 
vours conferred  or  attentions  shown,  will  be  duly  ap- 
preciated by  him.  Jas.  B.  Taylor, 

Pastor  of  3d  Baptist  Cli.,  Richmond,  Va." 

"I  am  happy  to  add  my  name  to  the  above. 

J.  B.  Jeter, 
Pastor  of  1st  Baptist  Ch.,  Richmond,  Va." 

"Richmond,  November  28th,  1843, 
"To  whom  it  may  concern. 

"The  bearer  hereof,  Rev.  D.  H.  Gillette,  proposes 
to  spend  a  few  months  in  the  more  genial  south  in 
search  of  sounder  health.  He  is  a  pastor  much  es- 
teemed by  a  large  and  affectionate  congregation  who 
have  reluctantly  submitted  to  a  temporary  separation, 
with  the  anxious  hope  that  he  may  soon  be  confirm- 
ed in  health  and  restored  to  wonted  usefulness. 

"To  Christians  in  general  and  to  Baptists  in  parti- 
cular, 1  take  great  pleasure  in  commending  brother 
Gillette.  Any  attentions  they  may  render  to  his 
comfort,  and  any  solicitude  they  may  manifest  for 
his  prosperity,  will  neither  be  unworthily  bestowed 
nor  ungratefully  received.       E.  L.  Magoon, 

Pastor  of  2d  Baptist  Ch.,  Richmond,  Va." 


160  MEMOIRS  OF 

With  the  foregoing  epistles  of  love  and  commen- 
dation, he  was  introduced  in  Mobile.  The  church 
had  a  knowledge  of  his  general  character,  and  at 
once  requested  him  to  supply  them  for  the  winter, 
as  he  might  be  able.  No  sooner  had  he  complied, 
than  they  proceeded  to  plan  for  his  becoming  their 
pastor.  He  assured  them  their  mutual  acquaintance 
was  too  superficial  to  allow  of  such  a  step,  and  was 
not  prepared  to  entertain  the  proposal. 

His  health  seemed  to  increase  with  moderate  ex- 
ercise, and  his  lungs  to  heal  by  feeding  on  the  balmy 
breezes  which  fan  that  city  from  the  adjacent  gulf 
of  Mexico.  This  gave  new  life  to  his  unbounded 
ambition  to  be  useful ;  and  when  his  appearance  in- 
dicated scarcely  ability  enough  to  walk  the  short 
distance  to  his  church  or  ascend  his  pulpit,  he  would, 
when  there,  preach  as  if  new  vigour  and  new 
lungs,  yea,  and  a  new  spirit  had  been  given  him — 
and  it  is  a  strange  fact  that  his  cough,  which  was  so 
distressing  at  other  times,  seldom  attacked  him 
while  leading  the  solemn  services  in  the  sanctuary. 

In  the  subject  of  our  memoir,  we  see,  in  strong 
and  lovely  light,  the  solace,  peace,  and  holy  joy  which 
true  religion  administers  when  earthly  enjoyments 
are  withered.  What  is  termed  a  little  religion,  if  it 
be  an)'  at  all,  is  only  enough  to  keep  alive  a  reproving 
conscience  which  our  moral  deficiencies  are  supply- 
ing with  ample  means  for  self-reproach.  Much  true 
religion  keeps  the  heart  alive,  and  causes  us  to  drink 
of  the  brook  by  the  way.  Alas!  too  much  of  the  spirit 
of  bondage  and  too  little  of  the  spirit  of  adoption  pre- 
vails among  us.     Have  we  not  too  much  reason  to 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  161 

fear  that  ours  is  an  emotional  religion  only,  occasion- 
ally enjoyed,  and  that  too  often  realized  in  spasms, 
which  are  produced  by  the  strange  fire  of  a  profitless 
enthusiasm,  rather  than  by  the  steady  flame  of  pa- 
tient and  untiring  devotion? 

Our  spiritual  hero's  zeal  was  ardent,  steady,  and 
pure — kindled  by  faith  at  the  sacrificial  altar  of 
Christ  as  a  Lamb  that  was  slain  for  our  sins — like 
the  fire  of  the  ancient  temple,  it  went  not  out  day 
nor  night.  How  meekly  he  endured  afllictions,  as 
a  good  soldier  of  Jesus  Christ,  we  learn  from  his 
own  pen. 

"Mobile,  December,  1843. 
"Dear  Brother  A., — 

"  Two  weeks  ago  last  Friday  I  left  Charlottsville  ; 
spent  Saturday  and  Sunday  in  Richmond,  supposing 
a  week  sufficient  time  to  come  here.  We  came  to 
Macon,  Georgia,  on  Friday  night,  much  fatigued  ; 
and  conscious  that  we  could  not  go  much  farther 
that  week,  we  resolved  to  stop  till  Monday.  We 
found  a  Baptist  church  with  which  we  worshipped; 
and  who  was  the  pastor,  but  one  of  my  fellow  stu- 
dents, R.  Kendrick,  brother  of  Professor  A.  Ken- 
drick?  I  preached  for  him  at  evening.  My  health 
was  a  little  improved,  at  all  events  no  worse.  Mon- 
day morning  we  left,  having  six  hundred  miles  be- 
fore us.  Little  did  I  think  how  tedious  a  journey 
awaited  me.  We  reached  Montgomery,  Thursday 
night.  For  size  and  business,  this  town  is  next  to 
Mobile.  Here  I  found  another  fellow  student,  a 
pastor :  his  prospects  were  encouraging,  though  the 
church  is  small.  Friday  evening  we  started  down 
15* 


162  MEMOIRS  OF 

the  Alabama  River,  first  look  on  your  map  and  sec 
how  crooked  it  is,  then  be  assured  the  picture  is 
not  false.  Death  seems  to  line  its  banks,  or  shores 
I  should  say,  for  banks  it  is  nearly  destitute  of.  On 
either  side  it  has  flooded  the  country,  and  is  gene- 
rally so  during  spring  and  fall.  The  land  is  very 
fertile,  produces  cotton  in  great  abundance.  Few 
but  blacks  live  there,  however,  and  they  die  by 
scores. 

"We  did  not  arrive  in  port  till  late  Sabbath  night ; 
so  much  cotton ! — it  was  stop  and  load,  stop  and 
load ;  and  our  bark  was  nearly  sunken  with  its 
weight.  Monday  morning,  by  the  hospitality  of  a 
friend,  we  were  lodged  in  the  Waverley  hotel,  where 
we  shall  remain  until  next  week,  wlien  we  shall  go 
to  private  boarding. 

"Several  Baptist  friends  have  called,  and  given  us 
a  very  warm  reception,  and  they  have  made  calcu- 
lations on  our  arrival.  I  have  not  been  here  a  Sab- 
bath yet,  so  I  know  but  little  of  them.  The  popu- 
lation of  this  city  is  thirty  thousand :  it  is  rather 
pleasant,  and  now  healthy ;  though  in  summer  it  is 
a  place  of  sickness  and  death.  I  hope  this  genial 
climate  may  restore  me :  but  life  and  health  are  in 
the  Lord's  hands. 

"  This  is  the  third  day  after  our  arrival,  so  you 
see  you  are  not  neglected.  Write  me,  and  be  assured 
that  I  am  your  faithful  brother, 

D.  H.  Gillette." 

«  Mobile,  Alabama,  December  23d,  1843. 
"  Dear  Sister  Ely, — It  afibrds  me  pleasure  to 
devote  an  hour  to  you.     But  you  are  surprised  to  see 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  163 

from  what  city  I  date.     I  give  you  the  plain  reasons 
for  being  here.     Since  you  saw  me  I  have  been  trou- 
bled with  my  old  cough:  though  it  did  not  lay  me  aside 
from  duty,  yet  it  caused  considerable  weakness  and 
debility.    During  the  hot  weather  I  was  nearly  over- 
powered; still  I  worried  on, hoping  that  every  succeed- 
ing day  or  week  would  bring  relief:  thus  I  continued 
till  autumn,when  returning  coolness  gave  me  some  in- 
creased vigour.  I  still  coughed,  though  with  not  much 
severity,  yet  it  was  bad  enough,  and  to  get  rid  of  so  un- 
pleasant an  affection  is  very  desirable.     Friends  and 
physicians  advised  me  to  spend  the  winter  farther 
south,  where  I  would  entirely  escape  the  cold  north 
winds  of  winter.     My  church  took  an  active  part  in 
the  move,  and  instead  of  wishing  my  salary  to  stop, 
proposed  to  continue  it  till  next  June,  and  pay  me 
in  advance.     1  complied,  and  on  the  24th  of  Nov., 
myself  and  wife  started  for  this  distant  part,  a  jour- 
ney of  more  than  one  thousand  miles.     We  reached 
here  after  two  weeks  through  wind  and  rain  and  mud, 
which  I  fearfully  expected  would  make  me  worse, 
but   I    gained    strength    constantly.       We    passed 
through  nearly  all  the  cities  in  the  southern  states, 
they  are  large,  commercial,  and  not  a  little  immoral 
in  character,  and  generally   flourishing.     This  is  a 
very  pretty  city,  about  30,000  inhabitants,  and  im- 
proving: it  is  next  to  New  Orleans  for  business,  and 
is  only  about  two  hundred  miles  distant.     Since  I 
have  been  here  my  health  is  improved,  and  the  warm 
winds  from  the  gulf  of  Mexico,  are  very  pleasant. 
It  has  not  frozen  any  yet,  the  frogs  sing  cheerfully, 
and  musketoes  bite  us  at  night. 


164  MEMOIRS  OF 

"There  is  a  large  Baptist  Church  here,  but  it  has 
no  pastor:  he  died  in  September,  with  the  yellow 
fever,  which  raged  fearfully  here  last  summer.     I 
have  been   invited  to  supply  the   church.     Should 
this  climate  agree  with  my  health,  1  might  feel  it 
duty  to  remain  here.     There  is  a  large  field  for  use- 
fulness, as  also  in  many  other  places  in  the  world. 
Expenses  here  are  very  great.     Should  we  remain, 
and  my  health  allow,  we  shall  visit  you  next  summer. 
I  am  anxious  to  see  you  all.     It  did  me  good  to  read 
an  account  of  the  ordination  of  your  new  pastor.     I 
hope  God  will  bless  his  labours  abundantly,  and  make 
you  through  him  a  happy  and  a  numerous  people. 
I  have  a  lingering  love  for  that  church  which  time 
and  distance  cannot  destroy.     Tell  me  how  you  all 
get  along:  be  minute.    Tell  me  of  your  pastor  and  all 
others,  every  thing;  yes,  every  thing.     Mary  is  out 
riding,  she  receives  much   attention;  we  have  many 
kind  friends.     0 !  that  we  may  live  long  together, 
and  do  much  good  in  the  world.    Let  the  Lord's  will 
be  done.     I  count  but  little  upon  long  life.     Suffi- 
cient unto  the  day  is  the  evil  thereof.     Give  our  love 
to  your  dear  family,  and  to  all  the  friends  in  Rahway. 
"  With  strong  affection  1  am  your  brother  in  Christ, 

D.  H.  Gillette." 
Having  entered  upon  this  new  field  of  labour  in  a 
southern  city,  he  was  enabled  through  mercy  to 
supply  the  pulpit  through  the  winter,  and  encou- 
raged at  times  to  hope  for  better  health;  assured  that 
this  mild  southern  climate  suited  his  shattered  con- 
stitution, better  than  the  cold  bleak  winds  of  the 
north. 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  165 

He  soon  found  an  attachment,  daily  growing 
stronger  and  stronger  between  himself  and  the  peo- 
ple. They  would  often  express  the  wish  that  he 
might  consent  to  become  their  permanent  pastor. 

Another  source  of  encouragement,  and  not  the 
least  among  the  many,  was  the  increase  of  numbers 
who  were  weekly  pressing  to  hear  from  his  lips  the 
gospel  of  Christ,  that  precious  gospel,  which  he  so 
much  delighted  to  preach  to  his  fellow  men. 

During  the  winter  several  of  the  members  of  the 
Baptist  church  in  the  city  of  Columbus,  Mississippi, 
being  at  Mobile,  attended  meeting  and  heard  him 
preach,  and  gave  him  a  very  pressing  invitation  to 
make  them  a  visit.  He  gave  them  some  encourage- 
ment, that  he  would  do  so  when  his  time  of  service 
closed  in  Mobile.  He  received  from  them  the  follow- 
ing letter. 

"Columbus,  Miss.,  March  9lh,  1844. 

"Dear  Brother  Gillette, — 

"The  Baptist  church  in  this  place  is  destitute  of  a 
pastor,  and  the  undersigned,  being  a  committee  ap- 
pointed by  the  church,  to  endeavour  to  obtain  onej 
have  taken  the  liberty  of  addressing  you  on  the  sub- 
ject. We  would  be  much  pleased  to  receive  a  letter 
from  you,  but  still  better  pleased  if  you  would  visit 
us:  you  have  been  highly  recommended  by  our 
brethren  who  have  heard  you  preach.  Columbus  is 
an  important  city:  it  is  healthy,  and  the  community 
are  interesting,  intelligent,  and  moral.  The  Baptists 
have  an  excellent  house  of  worship;  in  fact  the  best 
building  in  the  place,  and  a  very  respectable  congre- 
gation.    The  church  will  pay  any  expenses  you  may 


106  MEMOIRS  OF 

incur  in  making  us  a  visit,  and  we  will  do  every 
thing  in  our  power  to  render  you  comfortable,  while 
among  us.  We  hope  you  will  come  here  as  soon  as 
possible.  If  you  visit  us,  inquire  for  any  of  the  sub- 
scribers.    Respectfully  yours  in  the  gospel, 

Sterling  H.  Lester, 
David  Ferguson, 
James  A.  M'Lean." 

"Columbus,  Miss.,  April  20th,  1844. 
"Dear  Brother  Gillette, — 

"Yesterday  being  our  first  conference  since  wc 
received  your  letter,  it  was  read  to  the  church,  and 
I  was  appointed  to  reply. 

"The  church  will  wait  until  the  time  of  your  en- 
gagement at  Mobile  expires,  at  which  time  they  will 
anxiously  expect  you.  I  would  have  replied  to 
5'our  letter  myself,  were  it  not  that  brother  Blewit 
had  gone  to  Mobile,  and  I  supposed  he  would  have 
an  interview  with  you.  He  and  his  family  have 
just  returned,  and  are  well.  Our  deacons  have  had 
the  pleasure  of  hearing  you  preach  in  Mobile,  and 
also  some  of  our  lay  brethren,  and  I  am  happy  to 
state  that  they  are  well  pleased  with  you.  They 
prefer  waiting  for  you.  Come  as  soon  as  you  can. 
Our  Zion  here  is  in  a  languishing  state,  we  have 
\veckly  prayer-meetings  which  keep  us  alive.  Dear 
brother,  we  will  not  fail  to  pray  for  you,  that  God 
may  enable  you  to  reach  us  in  safety,  and  bless  you 
in  spirit  and  in  body.     Yours  in  Christ, 

James  M'Lean." 

According  to  this  invitation,  about  the  middle  of 
May  he  started  to  make  that  people  a  visit,  it  being 


REV.  D.  M.  GILLETTE.  167' 

a  distance  of  about  three  hundred  miles  by  steam- 
boat. But  previous  to  his  leaving  Mobile,  the  church 
in  that  place  gave  him  a  call  to  become  their  pastor, 
with  every  necessary  encouragement  for  his  temporal 
comfort  and  support. 

But  having  promised  to  make  a  visit  to  Columbus, 
he  thought  it  needful  to  fulfil  the  engagement. 

Concerning  his  visit  there,  the  prospect  of  useful- 
ness, and  his  own  feelings,  we  may  learn  fi'om  the 
following  letter. 

"Columbus,  Miss.  May,  1844. 
"Dear  Brother  Walter, 

"  I   have  not   been  silent  to  you  this  long  time 
because  I  had  forgotten,  or  lost  my  regard  for  you. 
I  supposed  that  you  frequently  heard  from  us,  through 
Mr.  Wells'  people.     I  contented  myself  till  the  pre- 
sent.    I  am  now  far  from  Mobile,  though  I  have  not 
long  been  here.     Nearly  three  months  since'I  was 
invited  by  the   church  in  this   city  to  visit  them, 
with  a  view  of  becoming  their  pastor.     I  consented 
to  it,  when  my  time  with  the  Mobile  church  ex- 
pired.    I  came  here  last  Lord's  day.     I  like  the  ap- 
pearance of  things.     This  is  a  beautiful  city,  contain- 
ing about  five  thousand  inhabitants,  and  the  Baptist 
chuz'ch  is  one  of  the  most  wealthy  in  the  country. 
Their  meeting-house  is  elegant.     One  member  paid 
twenty  thousand  dollars  towards  the  building  of  it. 
'•Before  I  arrived,  their  deacons,  and  a  few  other 
members  who  were  down  to  Mobile  on  business, 
having  heard  me  preach,  they  elected  me  their  pas- 
tor; but  I  have  not  accepted  the  call,  though  it  is  en- 
forced by  the  prospect  of  fifteen  hundred  dollars 
salary. 


1G8  MEMOIRS  OF 

"Before  leaving  Mobile,  that  church  gave  me  a 
pressing  call  to  become  its  pastor;  and  the  service  of 
five  months  seemed  to  form  such  an  attachment  be- 
tween us,  that  1  shall  regard  their  call  first.  They 
appointed  a  committee  of  five,  gave  to  their  disposal 
all  the  finances  of  the  church,  with  authority  to  stipu- 
late for  the  salary:  this  committee  then  presented 
me  with  a  written  article,  in  which  each  one  bound 
himself  for  three  hundred  dollars  per  year,  if  I  be- 
came their  pastor.  So  you  see  they  have  made  me 
safe  for  the  salary,  should  I  accept  the  call.  It  may 
seem  large:  it  would  be  in  some  places,  but  it  is  not 
in  Mobile. 

"They  give  me  the  privilege  of  being  absent  during 
the  hot  season,  and  return  to  them  in  the  fall.  My 
health  is  such  that  I  need  rest,  though  I  am  better 
than  I  was  last  summer;  yet  I  am  racked  with  a 
couglt  and  general  debility,  and  my  constitution 
seems  to  call  for  repose. 

" Mary  is  in  Mobile,  about  three  hundred  miles 
from  this ;  but  I  design  to  return  to  her  next  week. 
We  shall  start  for  New  Jersey  soon.  I  design  to 
stay  a  few  weeks  at  the  springs  in  Virginia;  but 
Mary  will  proceed  directly  to  her  parents.  I  shall 
soon  be  after  her,  and  hope  we  may  all  have  a  plea- 
sant visit  during  the  summer. 

"This  is  a  beautiful  country  and  the  climate  in 
winter  such  as  I  never  before  saw.  I  have  not  seen 
one  particle  of  snow  and  very  little  frost;  roses  have 
blossomed  in  the  gardens  all  winter ;  apples  are  now 
ripe;  plums  and  peaches  are  nearly  full  grown. 
The  country  is  full  of  all  kinds  of  fruit.     Corn  is 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  169 

tasselled ;  wheat  and  rye  long  since  harvested,  and 
every  thing  has  the  appearance  of  mid-summer. 
The  field  here  for  ministerial  usefulness  is  very  exten- 
sive and  inviting.  This  is  the  valley  of  the  west;  why 
do  so  few  ministers  enter  it.''  Give  my  love  to  all 
the  friends.     Your  affectionate  brother, 

D.  H.  Gillette." 

On  returning  to  Mobile,  he  came  to  the  conclu- 
sion that  it  was  his  duty  to  accept  of  the  call  they 
had  given  him.  He  immediately  gave  the  church 
in  Columbus  to  understand  that  he  could  not  ac- 
cept of  theirs,  deeming  it  his  duty  to  continue  with 
the  people  in  Mobile. 

After  receiving  his  letter,  they  wrote  him  the  fol- 
lowing reply: — 

Columbus,  Miss.,  June  21st,  1844. 

"Dear  Brother  Gillette, — 

"  Youi"  letter  of  the  9th,  declining  the  call  to  the 
pastorate  of  the  church  which  we  represent,  was  re- 
ceived a  few  days  ago. 

"  We  exceedingly  regret  the  existence  of  the  cir- 
cumstances that  have  produced  this  result;  but  un- 
der them  we  can  but  justify  you  fully  in  the  course 
you  have  determined  to  pursue.  If  your  health  had 
been  such,  as  to  justify  you  in  accepting  our  call,  we 
should  have  received  you  most  gladly;  for  in  the 
sincerity  of  our  hearts  we  made  it.  And  after  you 
came  among  us,  and  an  acquaintance  was  formed; 
we  were  not  only  satisfied  with  what  the  church  had 
previously  done  in  electing  you,  but  we  were  anx- 
iously solicitous  that  you  should  accept.  But  an 
over-ruling  Providence  has  otherwise  determined, 
16 


170  MEMOIRS  OF 

and  we  shall  endeavour  to  be  resigned  to  his  dis- 
pensations. Your  visit  here  will  long  be  remem- 
bered '/vith  pleasure  by  the  members  of  this  church, 
mingled  with  affectionate  sympathy  for  your  afflic- 
tions; which  we  hope  may  soon  be  removed,  and 
that  you  may  be  speedily  restored  to  health  and  vi- 
gour; so  that  you  may  yet  labour  much  in  our  Mas- 
ter's vineyard.  May  he  guard,  protect,  and  afford  you 
much  of  his  spiritual  presence  and  consolation. 

"Whenever  you  can  make  us  another  visit  we 
shall  be  happy  to  see  you,  and  to  hear  you  preach  in 
our  pulpit.  May  the  Lord  bless  you.  With  re- 
spect for  your  lady,  receive  assurances  of  our  affec- 
tionate consideration. 

r,         ...        C  S.  H.  Lester, 
Lommittee    -J      j    ,i        „ 
I  and  others.  ' 


CHAPTER   IX. 

HIS  LAST  VISIT    NORTH — RETURNS  TO  MOBILE 

PREACHES DIES. 

Having  returned  to  Mobile,  he  made  arrange- 
ments, to  leave,  for  the  summer,  and  visit  his  friends 
at  the  north.  Accordingly,  himself  and  companion 
took  leave  of  their  kind  friends  and  started  on  their 
long  and  tedious  journey,  expecting  to  be  absent 
until  the  ensuing  autumn.  They  went  to  New 
Orleans,  and  from  thence  up  the  Mississippi  river, 
and  the  Ohio,  to  Parksburg.  Having  heard  of  a 
mineral  spring  which  had  recently  been  brought 
into  public  notice,  in  the  north-west  part  of  Virginia, 
the  waters  of  which  had  proved  beneficial  to  indiyi- 


RKV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  171 

duals  afflicted  with  the  dyspepsia,  he  resolved  to  stop 
and  spend  a  few  weeks  there,  hoping  they  might 
prove  beneficial  to  him.  His  wife  pursued  her 
journey  in  company  with  friends,  to  her  parents 
in  New  Jersey.  This  spring  not  being  known  suffi- 
ciehtly  long  to  make  it  a  place  of  general  resort,  has 
no  convenience  of  boarding,  other  than  such  as  an 
ordinary  farm  house  affords.  This  was  his  home  for 
four  weeks;  where,  being  the  only  visiter,  it  was  a 
lonely  season  to  him ;  but  he  loved  retirement.  After 
four  weeks'  residence  here,  without  deriving  any 
essential  benefit,  he  went,  in  company  with  a  minister 
who  was  travelling  over  the  mountains  to  the  south, 
in  a  small  carriage  direct  to  Charlottsville:  this  had 
been  the  place  of  his  former  residence,  and  here  his 
ministry  had  been  abundantly  blessed.  Here  were 
many,very  many,  much  delighted  to  see  him;  yet  they 
could  not  but  regret  that  he  had  not,  by  the  use  of  the 
means  resorted  to,  been  restored  to  sounder  health, 
and  brighter  prospects  for  life  and  usefulness.  They 
looked  upon  him  as  a  dying  man,  and  yet  at  times 
he  flattered  himself  that  he  should  be  restored. 

Up  to  this  time  he  was  the  pastor  of  their  church, 
for,  although  they  parted  with  him  for  the  winter,  yet 
they  were  in  hopes  that  he  might  be  able  to  return, 
and  labour  long  with  them,  in  the  gospel.  Before  this 
he  had  given  them  to  understand  he  thought  it  most 
expedient  to  continue  south;  but  he  had  not  taken 
a  disn)issal  from  them,  and  it  was  painful  for  him 
to  do  so.  He  has  often  said  that,  could  he  have  health, 
there  was  no  place  where  life  and  pastoral  duty  could 
be  enjoyed   by   him  so  well  as  in   Charlottsville. 


172  MEMOIRS    OF 

Having  only  a  few  Hays  to  stay,  he  preached  to  them 
but  once, — after  which  he  requested  to  be  dismissed 
from  the  pastorate,  and  from  his  memben^hip  with 
the  church.  Receiving  from  tliem  the  following,  he 
started  for  his  companion  and  friends  in  Philadelphia 
and  New  Jersey. 

"At  a  meeting  of  the  Baptist  Church  in  Charlotts- 
ville,  on  Wednesday  evening,  the  14th  of  August, 
1844,  the  following  preamble  and  resolutions  were 
presented  and  unanimously  adopted: — 

"  Whereas  God  in  his  providence  has  seen  fit  to 
protract  the  illness  of  our  beloved  pastor,  D.  H. 
Gillette,  so  as  to  require  of  him  the  resignation  of 
his  charge; 

"Resolved,  therefore,  that,  while  we  bow  in  humble 
submission  to  this  afflicting  dispensation,  knowing 
that  the  God  of  heaven  and  earth  cannot  do  wrong, 
3'et  our  bleeding  hearts  cannot  but  deeply  deplore 
our  loss. 

"  Resolved,  that,  in  accepting  the  resignation  now 
tendered  us  by  brother  Gillette,  we  feel  that  the 
most  sacred  tie  possible  for  the  mutual  enjoyment 
of  pastor  and  people  is  rent  asunder,  and  that  we 
shall  ever  delight  to  extend  to  him  the  kindest 
Christian  sympathy  and  affection. 

"  Resolved,  that,  although  separated  from  him,  we 
will  not  cease  to  seek,  at  a  throne  of  grace,  the  bless- 
ing of  our  heavenly  Father  upon  him  and  his  labours, 
wherever  bestowed. 

Alex.  Pope  Abell,  Church  Clerk.^' 

" Charlottssille,  Virginia,  August  15, 1844. 
"This  is  to  certify,  that  our  beloved  brother,  Rev. 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTK.  173 

D.  H.  Gillette — a  regularly  ordained  minister  of  the 
Baptist  Church — has,  for  two  years,  been  the  pastor 
of  the  Baptist  Church  of  this  place;  and,  knowing 
him  well,  and  being  compelled  to  part  with  him,  on 
account  of  his  severe  and  continued  ill  health,  we 
take  pleasure  in  this  expression  of  our  very  high 
estimation  of  him  as  a  man,  a  scholar,  a  Christian, 
and  a  minister. 

"  In  each  of  these  characters  he  occupies  an  exalt- 
ed position.  While  settled  with  us  he  commanded 
the  profoundest  respect  of  every  class  of  the  com- 
munity. Being  received  to  our  homes  and  affections 
as  a  friend  and  pastor,  we  found  in  him  all  that  heart 
could  wish,  and  the  peculiar  relation  required. 

"As  a  minister,  he  is  indeed  'a  workman  that 
needeth  not  to  be  ashamed;'  for,  having  ^a  heart 
laden  with  the  rich  experience  of  a  Saviour's  love,' 
he  seems  desirous  to  know  nothing  before  the  world 
but '  Christ  and  him  crucified.' 

"  His  superior  literary  attainments,  peculiarly  hap- 
py address,  and  powerful  oratory,  prepare  him  for 
any  position,  and  commend  him  to  any  church  where 
his  health  can  be  enjoyed. 

"The  failure  of  brother  Gillette's  health,  and  his  de- 
sire to  seek  a  milder  climate,  alone  force  us  to  ac- 
cept the  resignation  which  he  has  tendered  us, — for 
truly  the  relation  has  been  pleasant  and  profitable. 
Finding  us  in  a  low  condition,  and  but  poorly  quali- 
fied to  second  his  efforts,  and  though  obliged  by  his 
illness  to  spend  more  than  one  third  of  the  time  during 
which  he  held  the  pastorate  of  the  church,  in  a  dis- 
tanf^state,  yet  he  was  made  to  us  an  instrument  of 
16* 


174  MEMOIRS  or 

great  good,  and  many,  very  many,  remember  him  as 
their  spiritual  father  and  comforter. 

"  But  an  unerring  God  in  his  providence  has  bid  us 
part,  and  we,  though  mournfully  our  hearts  sink 
within  us,  at  conviction  of  the  dispensation,  would 
say,  'Even  so,  Father,  for  so  it  seemeth  good  in  thy 
sight.'  "John  Simpson,  ^ 

Benjamin  Morby,       v  Deacons." 
Alex.  Pope  Abell,    ) 

After  leaving  Charlottsville,  and  the  dear  friends 
who,  with  painful  hearts  and  tearful  eyes  were  sor- 
rowing most  of  all  that  they  should  see  his  face  no 
more;  he  went  to  Philadelphia,  where  his  stay  with 
his  brother  was  richly  enjoyed,  though  but  short.  He 
soon  left  for  his  father-in-law's,  where  he  met  with 
his  companion  and  friends,  to  all  of  whom  he  was 
much  attached.  But,  to  all  who  saw  him,  it  was 
apparent  that  his  nature  was  slowly  wasting  away 
under  the  weight  of  protracted  disease.  He  refused 
all  invitations  to  prfeach,  intending  to  rest  from  the 
fatiguing  labours  of  the  pulpit,  for  a  short  season  at 
least.  In  the  month  of  October,  his  estimable  wife 
gave  birth  to  a  son,  an  occasion  of  much  joy  to  an 
affectionate  husband  and  afflicted  father;  for  he  said 
he  was  thinking,  that  although  his  days  were  few, 
yet  this  little  son  might  live  to  perpetuate  his  me- 
mory, and  be  useful  in  the  world.  To  this  son  he 
gave  the  name  of  his  esteemed  friend,  William  Pa- 
rish, of  Virginia. 

Notwithstanding  his  rapid  decline,  still  he  was 
very  anxious  to  return  to  the  south,  and  resume 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLET'aX  175 

his  labours;  and,  if  he  must,  die  with  his  church  at 
Mobile.  In  October,  he  went  to  Piuladelphia,  to 
consult  a  physician  to  whom  he  had  been  recom- 
mended. The  advice  and  prescriptions  he  received 
brought  only  temporary  relief. 

November  24,  1844,  they  took  ship  at  New  York, 
for  Mobile.  Many  of  his  friends  were  fearful  he 
could  not  endure  the  passage,  and  that  in  all  proba- 
bility the  sea  would  become  his  resting  place  until 
she  shall  be  called  upon  to  give  up  her  dead.  But 
to  us  the  future  is  all  unknown ;  his  hour  had  not 
yet  come.  "Our  days  are  as  the  days  of  an  hire- 
ling." 

Their  voyage  at  sea  was  very  tedious,  yet  he  was 
so  much  favoured  that  he  endured  the  hardships 
through  which  they  passed,  much  better  than  was 
anticipated.     Concerning  which  he  writes, — 

"Mobile,  December  27, 1844,   1 
"Dear  Brother  A., — 

"We  arrived  at  this  city  one  week  yesterday,  after 
a  tedious  voyage  of  twenty-six  days.  I  was  quite 
feeble  when  we  embarked,  suffering  from  dyspepsia 
and  a  bad  cough,  which  was  causing  me  to  expec- 
torate much  putrid  matter;  but  after  a  few  days  at 
sea,  I  began  to  feel  a  little  better.  I  adopted  the 
Graham  syst£m;  soon  my  cough  abated,  and  the  bad 

watery  mucus  nearly  ceased The  latter 

part  of  our  passage  became  trying  to  me.  We 
were  kept  by  head  winds  ten  days,  within  three 
hundred  miles  of  the  city,  and  the  weather  was  very 
cold.  But  now  I  feel  somewhat  improved.  .  I 
cough  much  less  than  formerly;  but  I  am  so  very 


176  MEMOIRS  OF 

weak  I  can  scarcely  walk.  Strength  is  what  I  seem 
most  to  need;  my  food  is  the  coarse  cracker  and  rye 
mush ;  any  deviation  from  that  regimen  throws  me 
back.  .  .  I  preached  last  Sabbath  morning,  and 
endured  it  well ;  but  0  how  weak  my  limbs  are!  I 
feel  a  little  stronger,  but  I  expect  slow  improvement 
if  any;  though  now,  for  the  first  time,  I  feel  encou- 
raged. May  the  Lord  heal  me,  if  it  be  his  good 
pleasure.  Wife  and  child  endured  the  voyage  ex- 
ceedingly well ;  the  boy  has  grown  finely;  the  peo- 
ple of  Mobile  pronounce  him  the  noblest  child  they 
ever  saw  at  his  age.  We  are  now  comfortably 
fixed.  The  weather  is  mild  and  clear,  and  many 
beautiful  roses  are  in  full  bloom,  adorning  the  yards 
of  our  city.  ...  0,  how  you  freeze  and  quake 
up  yonder,  while  we  down  here,  bask  in  a  warm 
summer  sun.  .  .  .  We  spent  Christmas  with  a 
family  that  attend  our  church;  they  gave  a  splendid 
dinner.  I  wish  that  you  and  sister  could  have  been 
two  of  the  guests  at  table;  for  poor  me,  I  had  to 
stand  back  and  look  on  the  luxuries. 

"  Give  my  respects  to  all  the  friends. — My  wife 
joins  me  in  love  to  you. — As  ever, 

D.  H.  Gillette." 

After  his  arrival  in  Mobile,  his  strength  failed  him 
so  rapidly  that  he  wrote  no  record  in  his  memo- 
randum book,  and  only  occasional  letters  to  his 
friends.  A  few  days  before  his  confinement  he 
wrote  a  long  letter  to  his  brother  Walter,  expressive 
of  his  feelings.  He  appeared  to  be  sensible  that  his 
end  drew  near,  yet,  expresssing  perfect  resignation 
to  the  will  of  Providence.    He  spoke  of  his  aged  and 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  1T7 

pious  mother,  being  well  assured  that  he  had  seen 
her  for  the  last  time  on  earlh ;  but  said  he  hoped  to 
meet  her  in  heaven,  where  parting  will  be  no  more. 
He  says,  "  When  I  thought  of  leaving  my  mother, 
whom  I  love  so  much,  to  see  her  no  more  on  earth,  it 
seemed  that  nature  could  not  endure  it;  but  grace  is 
always  sufficient.  Our  separation  will  be  but  short; 
we  shall  meet  again." 

This  letter  has  been  mislaid,  and  cannot  be  found, 
which  we  regret  very  much,  as  it  was  the  last 
he  ever  wrote. 

He  continued  to  preach  until  two  weeks  before  his 
death,  when  he  prepared  a  sermon  to  preach  on  the 
evening  of  Lord's  day,  from  these  words:  "A  man 
of  sorrows  and  acquainted  with  grief,"  Isaiah  liii.  3. 
This  text,  he  remarked  to  his  wife,  was  expressive  of 
his  feelings.  After  commencing  the  devotional  exer- 
cises of  the  meeting,  he  failed,  very  suddenly,  and 
sunk  in  the  pulpit:  he  was  assisted  to  come  down  out 
of  that  sacred  place  which  he  had  so  eloquently  and 
beautifully  adorned;  and  brought  from  the  church  to 
his  lodgings,  remarking  at  the  time,  that  he  should 
not  go  out  until  he  was  carried.  Physicians  ex- 
amined him,  and  pronounced  the  left  lung  nearly 
gone,  and  the  right  one  considerably  affected. 
After  they  retired  he  said  to  his  dear  young  wife, 
"I  am  conscious  that  I  am  failing  very  fast;  we  must 
part  soon,  my  dear,"  He  wept  considerably,  add- 
ing, "These  tears  are  not  for  myself  I  commit  you 
to  Him  who  hath  promised  to  be  the  widow's  God, 
and  my  child  to  an  undying  Father."  He  took 
the  babe  in  his  arms,  put  his  hands  on  its  head,  say- 


178  MEMOIRS  OF 

ing, "  I  consecrate  this  child  unto  the  Lord,  and  crave 
his  blessing  for  my  boy.  May  we  all  be  reunited,  a 
happy  family,  in  heaven."  The  following  day  he 
settled  all  his  worldly  concerns,  that  his  mind  might 
be  constantly  upon  his  rapidly  approaching  change. 
After  this  he  appeared  perfectly  composed,  and 
longed  for  his  Master's  coming:  with  heaven  in  full 
prospect,  he  said,  "All  the  days  of  my  appointed 
time  will  1  wait  until  my  change  come." 

He  said  that  he  "  Had  only  wanted  health  that  he 
might  serve  his  Master;  but,  if  he  could  not  do  that, 
he  desired  to  depart  and  be  with  Christ,  which  is 
far  better."  He  said  that  it  was  pleasant  to  think 
that  he  had  worn  out  in  the  Lord's  service.  He 
had  preached  the  gospel  while  in  health,  and  he  had 
done  it,  as  cheerfully,  while  pressed  down  by  weak- 
ness and  disease;  and,  he  added,  I  hope  to  preach  him 
when  I  am  dying. — Though  I  have  served  him  but  im- 
perfectly, 1  have  a  firm  trust  that  he  will  be  very 
near  me  when  I  pass  through  the  valley  of  the 
shadow  of  death.  I  had  hoped  to  get  well,  that  I 
might  labour  many  years  in  my  Master's  vineyard; 
but  God  has  ordered  otherwise.  It  is  my  heavenly 
Father  who  has  willed  it  to  be  so,  and  I  resign  all 
into  his  hands.  "I  know  in  whom  I  have  be- 
lieved." When  his  friends  came  to  see  him,  he  said 
to  them,  "I  am  going  home,"  pointing  upwards, 
with  a  sweet  smile.  "  I  have  no  wish  to  stay  one  day 
longer  upon  earth ;  and,  if  it  be  the  Lord's  will,  I 
would  like  to  go  now.  '  Come,  Lord  Jesus,  come 
quickly.  If  it  be  thy  will,  I  would  not  linger 
•here,  but  while  I  tarry  may  I  never  be  impatient. 


[  REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  179 

My  sufferings  are  nothing  compared  to  what  my 
Saviour  endured  for  me.  It  is  almost  too  much  to 
hope  for,  that  an  unworthy  creature,  such  as  I  am, 
should  have  an  interest  in  the  precious  blood  of 
Jesus;  but  I  trust  in  a  forgiving  Saviour."  He  fre- 
quently said,  "Oh  that  I  had  strength  that  I  could 
shout,  and  sing  my  Master's  praise;  but  I  am  too  weak 
now;  I  hope  soon  to  be  clothed  upon  with  immor- 
tality." 

On  the  ninth  of  February,  it  became  evident  that 
nature  was  almost  dissolved;  but  the  energy  of  his 
soul  was  unabated.  He  expressed  an  anxious  wish 
that  he  might  be  favoured  with  his  reasoning  faculties 
to  the  latest  moment.  He  told  his  wife  that  he  ex- 
pected to  die  on  that  evening,  but  said,  I  am  perfectly 
resigned.  His  mind  was  constantly  elevated  with 
the  joyful  anticipation  of  the  felicity  that  awaited  him. 
As  the  hour  of  his  dissolution  approached,  his  faith 
was  greatly  increased  ;  and  the  glories  of  heaven 
seemed  to  burst  upon  his  enraptured  vision.  About 
half  an  hour  before  his  spirit  took  its  flight,  he  con- 
versed much,  and  realized  that  he  was  dying,  exclaim- 
ing, "Oh!  precious  Jesus!  what  is  the  world  to  me 
with  all  its  vanities?    Give  me  Jesus." 

He  then  said  to  his  wife,  "  Oh !  that  you  may 
have  the  Saviour's  love  deeply  implanted  in  your 
heart, — the  hope  of  immortal  glory."  He  asked  his 
wife  if  "  She  thought'the  crown  fitted  well,"  point- 
ing to  his  head,  and  wiping  the  death  sweat  from 
his  brow.  At  seven  o'clock,  on  the  evening  of  the 
ninth  of  February,  his  soul  found  rest;  without  a 
struggle  he  fell  asleep  in   Jesus.     That  mind,  the 


180  MEMOIRS  OF 

energies  of  which  were  consecrated  entirely  to  the 
glory  of  God,  shall  wear  its  splendid  imagery  no 
more;  but,  all,  ail  those  powers  shall  be  perfected  in 
the  land  of  his  joyful  habitation,  and  all  shall  be 
swallowed  up  in  the  near  and  rapturous  view  of  the 
Lamb,  whom  he  shall  follow  whithersoever  he 
goeth.  Thus  died  the  Rev.  D.  H.  Gillette  the 
minister, — the  Christian. 

The  following  letter,  written  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Grant,  of  Mobile,  will  be  read  with  much  interest, 
as  he  was  present  and  had  frequent  conversation  with 
him ;  who,  also,  as  an  angel  of  mercy,  administered  to 
him  in  this  scene  of  trial,  until  the  last  flickerings 
of  the  lamp  of  life  had  become  extinct: — 

"Mobile,  January  29, 1845. 

"Rev.  a.  D.  Gillette: — 

"Dear  Brother, — In  obedience  to  the  wish  of  our 
beloved  brother  D.  H.  Gillette,  it  is  my  duty  to  in- 
form you,  that  his  disease  has  taken  a  very  unfavour- 
able turn ;  it  is  not  probable  that  he  will  survive  many 
days;  he  has  arranged  his  worldly  affairs;  his  family 
will  be  provided  for  while  here,  and  sent  home  un- 
der proper  protection.  He  feels  himself  well  cared 
for,  and  he  has  the  prayersandsympathiesof  the  whole 
church  and  community.  He  wishes  me  to  assure  you 
that  he  feels  perfectly  at  home,  as  the  brethren  do  all 
that  can  be  done  to  make  him  comfortable.  He  does 
not  suffer  pain,  but  is  rapidly  declining,  and  has  the 
most  abiding  confidence  in  God;  in  whom  he  has 
trusted.  He  enjoys  perfect  peace  and  tranquillity  of 
mind,  and  is  waiting,  with  patience,  until  his  change 
comes.     He  wishes  vou  to  let  his  brothers  know  his 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  181' 

prospects.  Is  it  not  worth  living  the  life  of  the 
righteous,  in  order  that  our  death  may  be  as  his? 
He  does  not  expect  again  to  see  your  face  in  the 
flesh,  but  feels  pleased  in  the  belief  that,  when  your 
labours  in  the  Lord's  vineyard  shall  have  been  com- 
pleted, you  will  again  be  united  in  the  joys  and 
service  of  the  upper  sanctuary;  and  while  nature 
might  be  disposed  to  grieve  at  the  providence  of 
God,  it  should  be  a  matter  of  consolation  to  the 
mind,  and  a  cause  of  gratitude  in  the  heart  of  a  disci- 
ple, that  when  one  of  his  children  is  removed  from 
this  earthly  house,  it  is  to  make  him  participate  in 
the  inheritance  of  the  saints  in  light.  That  we  may  all 
so  live  in  the  cultivation  of  every  grace  and  virtue 
which  results  from  the  indwelling  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
that  we  need  not  fear  any  evil,  while  we  pass  through 
the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death,  is  the  prayer 
of  your  brother,  in  the  bonds  of  the  gospel, 

John  Grant." 
The  Rev.  R.  Babcock,  D.  D.,  of  New  York,  con- 
nected with  the  American  and  Foreign  Bible  So- 
ciety, was  providentially  allowed  to  be  in  Mobile,  at 
this  solemn  time.  This  was  very  gratifying,  in 
consequence  of  his  intimate  acquaintance  with  the 
family,  and  the  relationship,  though  distant,  that  he 
bore  to  the  afflicted  and  bereaved  companion.  Ther 
following  letters  were  written  by  him  to  his  brother, 
of  Philadelphia;  one  of  them  two  days  before,  and 
the  other,  the  next  day  after  his  death. 

"Mobile,  February  7,  1845, 

"My  Dear  Gillette, — 

"  If  you  have  followed  me  in  this  long  tour  of 
17 


182  MEMOIRS  OF 

official  wanderings,  you  will  not  be  surprised  to  hear 
from  me  in  this  city.  But  I  take  the  pen  this 
morning,  not  to  advise  you  of  my  movements,  but  to 
apprize  you  of  the  situation  of  that  beloved  brother 
of  }"Ours,  who  is  now  lying  down  close  by  the  side 
of  the  grave,  and  with  calmness  and  holy  joy,  look- 
ing into  eternity. 

"Having  heard  of  his  rapidly  declining  condition, 
I  came  hither,  from  New  Orleans,  sooner  than  I  had 
intended.  Brother  Hinton,  pastor  of  the  New 
Orleans  church,  accompanied  me,  for  we  had  reason 
to  fear  that  the  final  hour  would  come  before  we 
could  arrive.  We  reached  here  yesterday  noon,  and, 
soon  after,  repaired  to  his  boarding-house.  He  was 
very  low,  and  only  saw  brother  Hinton  yesterday. 
The  impression  seemed  to  be,  that  he  had  scarcely 
life  enough  in  him  to  remain  through  the  night. 
We  had  service  in  the  church  last  evening.  In 
the  prayers  your  brother  was  most  affectionately  re- 
membered, and  it  was  delightful  to  notice  how  deep, 
universal,  and  tender  was  the  sympathy  of  all  hearts 
with  him,  and  his  dear  companion. 

"This  morning  I  called  on  him,  and  sat  a  few  mo- 
ments by  his  side;  yes,  my  dear  brother,  the  hand 
which  traces  these  lines  has  just  been  embraced  for 
near  half  an  hour  in  those  attenuated  fingers  which 
will  never  clasp  yours  again. 

"He  had  a  more  comfortable  night,  and  seemed 
quite  cheerful.  It  had  been  arranged  that  I  should 
write  to-day  to  you.  And  he  said  very  sweetly,  tell 
my  brother  Abraham  that  I  am  waiting,  waiting, 
waiting,  till  my  blessed  Saviour  shall  call  me  to  his 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  183 

bosom.     Blessed  position !  enviable  prospect!  glori- 
ous transition ! 

"His  "dear  young  wife  has  also  regained  a  delight- 
ful state  of  composure ;  her  trust  in  God  seeming  to 
swallow  up  all  unholy  disquietude. 

"The  little  one  has  been  suffering  from  a  severe 
cold,  but  is  better.  The  friends  seem  exceedingly 
kind  and  attentive,  and  our  dear  dying  friend  and 
his  family  want  for  nothing. 

"Rev.  Mr.  Grant,  who  wrote  you  last  week,  is  al- 
most constantly  at  the  side  of  your  brother,  and 
should  the  expected  melancholy,  yet  glorious  ter- 
mination of  this  scene  be  delayed  till  after  I  leave 
the  city,  he  will  announce  it  to  you. 

"I  shall  remain  here  until  Monday  or  Tuesday 
next;  when  imperative  official  duties  will  call  me 
homewards.  Still  I  shall  be  obliged  to  stop  in  so 
many  places,  that  I  have  no  hope  of  reaching  your 
city  till  the  middle  of  March,  long  before  that  time, 
probably,  this  brother  will  be  ushered  into  the  imme- 
diate presence  of  his  divine  Redeemer. 

"'Life  lake  thy  chance,  but  0,  for  such  an  end!' 
May  this  event,  and  another  in  my  own  family  since 
I  left*  conduce  to  our  more  perfect  sanctification. 
0,  how  many  and  how  solemn  the  urgencies  which 
press  us  to  more  perfect  devotement  of  all  we  have 
and  are  to  our  glorious  Saviour. 

"It  is  the  special  request  of  your  afflicted  sister-in- 
law  that  immediately  on  the  reception  of  this,  you 
will  write  to  her  father,  informing  him  of  her  situa- 
tion and  prospects.  % 
*  Death  of  his  beloved  daughter,  Emily. 


184  MEMOIRS  OF 

"Tills  I  have  ventured  to  assure  her  she  might 
safely  rely  on;  as  her  constant  attention  to  your  bro- 
ther and  her  babe,  besides  the  state  of  her  own  feel- 
ings, quite  unfit  her  for  writing  at  present.  Bro- 
ther Hinton  returns  to  New  Orleans  to-day.  He 
joins  me  in  sympathy  and  regard  to  you.  Most 
truly  yours.  Rurus  Babcock." 

"Mobile.Feb.,  10th,  1845. 
"My  dear  Gillette, 

"The  agony  of  suspense  is  at  length  ended.  Thy 
Brother  Daniel  has  finished  his  earthly  course.  Af- 
ter my  interview  with  him  on  Friday  morning,  just 
before  I  wrote  to  you,  he  remained  much  as  I  then 
described,  patiently  waiting  the  Lord's  pleasure. 
Saturday,  just  before  night,  they  thought  him  dying; 
tut  he  revived  in  a  few  moments,  and  remained  much 
as  before.  Yesterday  morning  brother  Grant  went 
to  his  bed-side  With  his  usual  salutation.  Your  bro- 
ther replied,  'I  am  here  yet.'  Yes,  said  Mr.  Grant, 
'but  you  will  spend  the  next  Sabbath  in  heaven.' 

"To  this  he  cheerfully  and  joyously  assented, 
*Amen.'  Through  the  day  he  was  more  troubled  for 
"breath,  wished  to  be  frequently  moved,  raised  up, 
and  to  have  the  window  raised.  While  the  family 
were  at  tea,  Mrs.  Gillette  called  Brother  Grant,  say- 
ing she  thought  there  was  an  obvious  change.  He 
was  not  from  this  time  able  to  speak.  He  continued 
to  breathe  until  a  little  after  seven  o'clock,  when 
quietly,  and  sweetl}',  he  fell  asleep. 

"We  were  at  church;  and  had  gone  through  the 
inti'oductory  services,  but,  just  before  1  rose  to  preach, 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  18& 

brother  Grant  came  into  the  pulpit,  and  pleasantly 
whispered  in  my  ear,  Dear  Brother  Gillette  is  in 
heaven.'  .  .  .  Standing  in  the  place  where  only 
two  weeks  before  he  had  stood,  it  was  indeed  holy 
ground, — ^a  solemn  place, — a  touching  scene:  I  tried 
to  improve  it  for  the  benefit  of  his  afflicted,  and  now 
deeply  affected  flock.  May  the  voice  of  God,  thus 
loudly  and  renewedly  sounding  in  their  ears,  be  bless- 
ed to  every  one  of  them.  This  evening  we  are  to 
meet  in  the  same  church  for  his  funeral  services. 
The  clergymen  of  the  city  will  all  be  united,  and 
share  in  the  exercises.  His  bereaved  companion  is 
wonderfully  supported:  I  sat  with  her  for  half  an 
hour  this  morning,  by  the  side  of  that  emaciated 
lifeless  frame.  It  was  a  melancholy,  but,  I  hope,  pro- 
fitable season.  She  has  written  to  her  mother,  and 
the  same  mail  that  carries  her  letter,  will  take  this. 
Excuse  its  brevity;  you  know  it  does  not  arise 
from  an  unfeeling  heart.  Deeply  do  1  sympathize 
with  you,  but  have  time  to  add  no  more  this  morn- 
ing. 

"  Truly  yours,  affectionately, 

RuFUS  Babcock." 

DEATH  OF  THE  REV.  D,  H.  GILLETTE. 

Sabbath  Recorder: — New  York. 
As  we  gave  notice  a  few  weeks  since  of  the  death 
of  Rev.  D.  H.  Gillette,  at  Mobile,  Ala.,  on  the  9th  of 
February,  I  presume  that  the  following  extracts  from 
a  letter  written  by  his  widow  to  his  mother,  will  be 
interesting  to  that  portion  of  our  readers  who  were 
personally  acquainted  with  the  deceased. 


186  MEMOIRS  OF 

"My  very  dear  Mother, — You  have  heard  of 
the  death  of  your  dear  son,  my  beloved  husband. 

"He  had  been  very  feeble  ever  since  we  arrived 
here.  But  I  hoped,  alas!  too  fondly,  that  he  would 
be  spared.  He  went  to  the  church  only  two  weeks 
before  his  death,  and  feeble  as  he  was,  had  a  sermon 
prepared,  which  he  could  not  preach,  for  he  failed 
very  suddenly  while  there.  He  had  chosen,  as  he 
told  me,  adapted  to  his  feelings,  these  words,  ^Ji 
man  of  sorrows,  and  acquainted  with  grief.^  He 
was  brought  from  the  church,  to  his  room,  remark- 
ing at  the  same  time  that  he  should  not  go  out  until 
he  was  carried.  Two  physicians  examined,  and  pro- 
nounced the  left  lung  nearly  gone,  and  the  right 
one  considerably  affected.  After  they  had  left  he 
said  to  me,  *My  dear  wife,  I  am  failing  very  fast; 
Vfe.  must  part  soon.  Try  to  keep  as  good  spirits  as 
you  possibly  can.  It  may  be  but  a  short  separa- 
tion.' He  wept  aloud,  and  shed  many  bitter  tears. 
He  said,  'You  know  it  takes  a  great  deal  to  make  a 
man  weep.  Though  I  weep,  I  do  not  murmur;  I 
only  weep  for  you,  and  for  my  child,  who  will  soon 
be  fatherless.  God  will  be  a  husband  to  you,  and  a 
father  to  the  dear  boy.' 

"He  took  the  babe  in  his  arms,  put  his  hand  on  its 
head,  and  said,  '1  consecrate  this  child  to  the  Lord, 
and  crave  His  blessing  for  my  son.  Train  him  up 
in  the  nurture  of  the  Lord,  and  make  him  meet  to 
be  an  heir  of  glory.  May  we  all  be  reunited,  a  happy 
family,  in  heaven.' 

"He  settled  all  his  worldly  concerns,  that  his  mind 
might   be   entirely   upon    his    rapidly    approaching 


REV.  D.  H.  GlLtETTE.  187 

change.  After  this  he  appeared  perfectly  composed, 
and  longed  for  his  Master's  coming.  He  spoke  of- 
ten of  his  dear  mother,  and  wished  me  to  give  you 
an  affectionate  farewell,  hoping  to  meet  you  where 
all  tears  shall  be  wiped  away,  and  parting  unknown. 

0  what  a  triumphant  death-bed  ■  He  said  that  the 
world  had  no  charms  for  him ;  if  he  could  not  get 
well  enough  to  serve  his  Master,  he  would  desire  to 
depart.  It  hurt  hrm  to  talk  in  a  whisper;  and 
though  many  came  to  see  him,  he  could  admit  but 
few.  He  said  to  them,  'I  am  going  home,'  pointing 
upwards  with  a  sweet  smile.  He  would  often  say 
to  me,  'If  it  be  the  Lord's  will,  I  would  like  to  go 
home  to-night;  but  the  will  of  the  Lord  be  done.' 
He  also  said,  'O  that  I  had  strength  to  shout,  I  feel 
so  happy;  I  hope  soon  to  be  able.' 

You  may  mourn,  dear  mother,  that  your  son  has 
found  a  grave  so  far  from  kindred  :  I  know  that  it 
must  distress  you,     I  write  this  letter,  hoping  that 
it  may  console  you,  though  my  own  heart  is  bleed- 
ing, and  daily  mourns  afresh.     If  the  news  of  his 
death  overcomes  you,  think  of  the  anguish  of  my 
own  heart,  to  watch  by  the  bed-side  of  a  dying  hus- 
band, far  from  kindred  and  home,  and  day  by  day 
see  life  ebbing  swiftly  away.     I  have  buried  all  my 
earthly  hopes.     Though  vve  may  mingle  our  tears, 
we  will  not  murmur.     That  precious  treasure  was 
not  ours:  God  only  lent  him  to  us,  and  in  his  own 
good  time  took  him  to  himself     Consoling  thought, 
that  we  can  look  forward  to  a  meeting  beyond  the 
grave,  there  to  join  our  beloved  one,  and  sing  the 
praises  of  the  Lamb.     Friends  come  to  console  me. 


198  MEMOIRS  OF 

but  God  alone  can  console  the  widow's  heart.     He 
has  a  gracious  purpose  in  afflicting  us. 

There  was  a  very  large  procession  at  his  burial. 
All  the  ministers  in  the  city  met  at  the  Baptist 
church.  All  denominations  here  appear  to  mourn, 
that  a  pillar  in  Zion  has  fallen ;  so  useful  was  he,  and 
so  promising.  The  ways  of  a  kind  Providence  are 
very  mysterious,  and  we  cannot  understand  them ; 
but  what  we  know  not  now,  we  shall  known  here- 
after. His  corpse  had  a  placid  and  composed  ex- 
pression, and  appeared  only  to  have  fallen  asleep. 
He  expired  without  the  least  struggle,  on  the  9th,  at 
evening.  He  asked  me  if  I  thought  the  crown  fitted 
well,  pointing  to  his  head,  and  wiping  the  sweat  from 
his  brow.  He  talked  much  for  an  hour  before  he 
died,  saying,  '0  the  precious  Saviour;  what  is  the 
world  to  me,  with  all  its  vanities'?  Give  me  Jesus.' 
The  last  words  he  said  were, '  Do  not  weep  for  me. 
I  am  going  home.'  Mary." 

Disappointment  seldom  comes  alone:  a  young 
companion,  the  partner  of  toils,  and  the  solace  of  his 
heart,  was  now  left  a  widow,  to  rely  upon  the  pro- 
tection of  the  widow's  God.  Though  her  husband 
was  gone,  never  to  return,  she  had  one  earthly  com- 
fort left.  The  little  son  who  had  received  the  bless- 
ing of  a  dying  father,  she  hoped  would  long  live 
to  comfort  her  heart.  But,  previous  to  the  death  of 
her  husband,  the  child  was  much  indisposed,  and 
continued  to  grow  worse.  She  intended  to  have 
started  for  the  north  soon  after  his  death,  but,  with 
deep  anxiety  she  waited  day  after  day,  watching 
every  moment  for  some  favourable  symptom,  to  en- 


REV.  P.  H.  GILi^ETTE.  189 

courage  her,  that  her  child,  her  only  earthy  comfort, 
might  be  restored;  but  God  had  otherwise  directed. 
Another  trying  hour  was  near, — that  beloved  babe, 
— William  Parish  Gillette,  was  soon  to  follow  his 
father,  and  be  united  with  him  where  the  pain  of 
parting  will  never  be  experienced  again.  He  lin- 
gered until  the  twelfth  of  April,  when,  by  death,  he 
was  released  from  his  sufferings,  and  taken  to  his 
eternal  rest.  To  the  Christian  the  grace  of  God  is 
always  a  support, — as  we  learn  in  the  following  let- 
ter. 

"Mobile,  April  13th,  1S45. 
"My  very  dear  Brother  A., — 

"I  am  here  still,  though  I  have  made  many  arrange- 
ments for  leaving,  and  have  been  disappointed.  Now 
I  see  disappointments  are  always  for  the  best.  My 
dear  child  has  been  very  delicate  since  my  husband's 
death,  and  I  have  nursed  him  day  and  night.  He 
has  had  a  very  bad  cough:  his  lungs  v^'ere  seriously 
affected.  A  great  change  took  place  at  twelve  o'clock 
on  the  eleventh,  and,  on  the  evening,  at  six  o'clock, 
God  relieved  him  from  his  sufferings,  and  took  hin> 
to  himself.  Was  ever  any  thing  so  hard  to  bear  as 
this?  Now  my  all  is  gone,  husband  and  child  have 
joined  each  other — ^liindred  spirits  in  a  brighter 
clime — and  I  am  alone.  God  is  near  me,  dear  bro- 
ther: even  in  this  dark  hour,  my  fortitude  is  un- 
changed, my  faith  is  unshaken.  Though  He  has 
taken  my  choicest  treasures,  it  is  all  right,  and  I  can 
truly  say,  'Though  he  slay  me,  yet  will  I  trust  ir^ 
him.'  My  trust  is  in  the  rock  of  ages — therefore  I 
shall  not  be  dismayed. 


190  MEMOIRS  OF 

"I  shall  leave  to-morrow  with  Mr.  and  Mrs. 

by  way  of  the  Mississippi,  and  be  at  home  as  soon 
as  possible.    I  would  have  answered  your  comforting 
letter  before,  but  I  have  been  waiting  until  I  could 
tell  you  I  had  made  some  definite  arrangements. 
"  Afiectionately  your  sister,     M.  A.  G." 

"I  cannot  write  more  now:  I  send  much  love  to 
mother  Gillette,  and  to  your  dear  wife.  Pray  for 
me." 


CHAPTER  X, 

PUBLIC  EXPRESSIONS  OF  GRIEF  AND   RESPECT AFFECTING 

SERVICES  AT  THE  FUNERAL. 

In  the  preceding  chapters  we  have  set  forth  the 
life,  ministry,  death,  and  consequent  loss  to  society 
and  the  church  of  Christ,  of  one  of  the  loveliest 
of  young  men — one  of  the  most  eloquent  of  minis- 
ters— one  upon  whose  lips  thousands  had  hung  with 
delight — the  long-continued  and  extended  exertion 
of  whose  powers  multitudes  anticipated  with  eager 
and  pious  desire. 

To  tell  how  many  hearts  have  bled  beneath  this 
stroke,  would  require  fortitude  we  do  not  possess,  and 
fill  a  volume  unsurpassed  in  the  anguish  it  would  de- 
scribe, and  the  bright  hopes  it  would  exhibit  as 
shining  on  earth  for  a  short  season  only,  then  fall- 
ing, in  unutterable  wo.  Among  all  ranks  our  bro- 
ther's death  spread  and  excited  one  common  feeling 
of  respect:  those  who  knew  him  personally  mourned 
the  loss  of  one  they  loved,  those  to  whom   he  wast 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  191 

known  by  reputation,  or  his  public  ministry,  felt  the 
agitation  and  general  sympathy  consequent  upon  the 
removal  of  such  rare  and  consecrated  gifts,  from  so 
important  a  sphere  of  usefulness  to  man,  as  the  minis- 
try of  the  glorious  Gospel. 

Gloom  spread  over  Mobile,  and  each  citizen 
looked  as  if  he  had  lost  a  friend,  his  intimate  ac- 
quaintances yielded  for  awhile  to  the  influence  of 
deepest  sorrow.  Kind  Providence  afflicted  our  bro- 
ther, and  removed  him  from,  all  by  whom  he  was  be- 
loved. We  should  seek  consolation  in  one  who  has 
suffered  more  than  we  all — there  is  enough  to  quiet  all 
our  fears,  in  the  distinguishing  consideration  "God 
so  loved  the  world,  that  he  gave  his  only  begotten 
Son,  that  whosoever  believeth  on  him  should  not 
perish,  but  have  everlasting  life."  Cheerfully  he  gave 
us  the  Holy  child  Jesus — shall  we  refuse  to  resign 
to  Him  our  friends,  when  he  calls  them  to  himself? — 
He  gave  us  his  Son  to  suffer.  He  took  our  brother 
to  enjoy  after  having  loved,  laboured,  suffered,  re- 
joiced, and  Died — 

Died  did  I  say  1  he  doth  but  sleep, 
And  every  dust  his  Lord  shall  keep; 

Until  the  happy  rising  day, 
When  he  shall  quit  his  house  of  clay. 

Thrice  happy  happy  shall  he  be, 
When  his  pure  eyes  his  Lord  shall  see. 

"  Why  stand  ye  gazing  up  into  heaven  1" 

Who  has  not  felt,  when  one  dearly  beloved  has 
been  snatched  away — an  inclination  to  forget  all 
the  things  of  earth,  and  to  stand^idle — helpless — 
stricken — on  the  shores    of  time,  gazing,  longing, 


f  92  MEMOIRS  OF 

after  the  lost,  regardless  of  all  that  is  left;  all  love,  all 
hope,  swallowed  up  in  the  one  agonized  sense  of 
bereavement? 

"  Smitten  of  God,  and  bereaved," — was  not  this, 
too,  written  by  one  who  knew  of  what  he  spoke? 
who  had  felt  the  bitter  pang  of  parting;  the  awful 
sense  of  God's  agency  in  earthly  sorrow — the  struggle 
between  passionate  regret  and  holy  submission? 

The  human  soul  knows  no  variety  in  sorrow  for 
the  dead.  Whatever  else  may  change  in  the  course 
of  time,  this  remains  the  same  throughout  all  ages. 
Paul,  the  sainted,  the  subdued,  wrote  not  those  ten- 
der words  without  a  swelling  of  tlie  heart;  and  many 
a  mourner  since  responds  to  them  with  tears. 

"Death  has  been  busy,  of  late.  Many  a  tender 
flower — many  a  '-shining  mark" — many  a  house- 
hold stay  and  comfort  has  he  snatched  away  with- 
in a  few  short  days.  To  many  of  our  friends  and 
fellow  citizens,  the  bright  spring  heavens  seem  hung 
in  black;  and  all  the  joyous  associations  that  came  up 
with  the  warm  sunshine  are  changed  to  images  of 
sadness  and  despondency.  The  idea  of  "  a  gloom  on 
the  face  of  Nature  "  is  not  a  mere  poetic  fiction.  To 
the  mourner  wliose  grief  is  in  its  fresh  bitterness, 
there  seems  an  absolutely  perceptible  shadow — like 
a  pall  of  dark  vapour — spread  over  the  gayest  objects. 
Nothino;  looks  as  it  used.  The  heart  sees  not  like 
the  careless  eyes.  We  feel  as  if  the  sun  could  never 
shine  again  for  us. 

Few  have  entered  upon  and  gone  through  their  re- 
ligious profession  with  a  warmer  zeal  than  the  sub- 
ject of  this  memoir.    Few  have  exceeded  him  in  the 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  193 

possession  and  display  of  that  charity  which  adorns 
the  Christian  minister  above  every  thing  else;  "  that 
vaunteth  not  itself,  and  is  not  puffed  up,  that  doth 
not  behave  itself  unseemly ;  that  seeketh  not  her  own, 
is  not  easily  provoked,  thinketh  no  evil;  that  beareth 
all  things,  believeth  all  things." 

To  those  acquainted  with  him,  these  things  need 
not  be  spoken;  for  they  were  seen  in  his  intercourse 
in  society,  in  his  amiableness  of  spirit  and  behaviour. 
It  is  sometimes  the  case,  when  the  talents  of  a  young 
man  have  been  admired  and  his  early  labours  flattered, 
that  the  effects  have  proved  fatal  to  his  future  pros- 
pevlty. 

Not  so  our  brother:  amidst  the  popularity  that  at- 
tended his  ministry,  even  when  a  student,  he  never 
appeared  to  be  elated  above  measure,  or  to  have 
neglected  his  necessary  studies:  he  was  uniformlv 
the  same,  pious,  industrious,  docile,  modest,  and 
unassuming  young  man.  But  his  work  on  earth  is 
finished,  his  heavenly  state  is  begun. 

Lest  the  reader  should  suppose  that  the  foregoing 
excellencies  were  made  in  part  to  appear  from  ihe 
fond  relation  which  existed  between  the  lamented 
subject  and  the  writers  of  this  memoir,  we  give  the 
following  voluntary  testimonials  from  others. 

"Danbury,  Conn.,  June  2d,  1845. 

"Respected  Brother, 

"I  received  yours,  but  had  heard  of  the  death  of 
our  brother  some  days  previous.  The  union  between 
him  and  us  was  a  most  cordial  one:  when  he  was 
here,  the  church  seemed  to  be  growing  in  grace  and 
knowledge. 
18 


194  MEMOIRS  OF 

"The  first  sermon  he  preached  to  us  was  full  of 
interest:  the  text  was  1  Corinthians,  i.  12:  "I  of 
Christ,"  and  the  first  hymn  he  read  to  us  began — 

*  Lord,  thou  hast  heard  thy  servant  cry, 
And  rescued  from  the  grave.' 

"Our  dear  brother  was  quite  happy  the  short  time 
he  was  able  to  preach,  and  we  were  as  happy  to  lis- 
ten to  his  sweet  voice. 

"  Many  of  various  denominations  came  to  hear  the 
word  of  life  dispensed  b}'-  him:  he  was  beloved  by  all, 
and  could  he  have  been  spared,  he  would  have  been 
very  useful  to  this  community. 

"I  often  conversed  with  him  on  the  flattering 
prospects  of  the  church;  but  how  soon  we  were  dis- 
appointed !  After  preaching  two  sabbaths  he  said  he 
must  discontinue,  but  felt  reliance  on  God,  and  be- 
lieved this  affliction  would  be  for  the  Divine  glory. 

"You  may  think,  dear  brother,  after  having  fur- 
nished his  study  and  put  up  his  library,  and  made 
every  thing  as  pleasant  as  could  be,  and  with  a  large 
field  to  labour  in — so  soon  to  retire  was  indeed  a 
trial,  which  nothing  but  grace  could  support.  While 
your  brother  was  with  us  he  lived  in  my  family:  he 
endeared  himself  to  us  by  his  amiable  disposition. 
He  used  frequently  to  sing  the  "Bower  of  prayer." 
Since  then,  my  little  daughter,  Ann  Elizabeth,  often 
sings  that  hymn.  We  all  deeply  sympathize  with 
you.  We  write  on  behalf  of  the  church,  and  remain 
yours  affectionately,  William  Montgomery, 
Noble  Lyon." 

The  following  is  as  acceptable  as  it  is  delicate,   The 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  195 

beloved  writer  has  for  some  time  sustained  the  en- 
dearing relation  of  pastor  to  the  venerable  mother  of 
the  lamented  friend  of  his  heart.  The  dear  church 
in  Cambridge,  New  York,  will  long  bear  the  fruit  of 
his  ability,  gentleness,  and  fidelit}'. 

"Rev.  Daniel  H.  Gillette, — My  eye  fell  upon 
the  epitaph  which  is  inscribed  on  the  monument  of 
this  dear  brother,  with  the  most  feeling  emotion. 
He  was  in  the  same  class  with  me  at  Hamilton,  and 
for  three  years  we  sustained  the  endearing  relation 
of  room-mates,  without  one  wave  of  discord  to  ruffle 
the  hallowed  peace  of  those  sunny  hours,  now  cherish- 
ed in  memory  dear.  Our  mutual  confidence  was  per- 
fect and  unreserved.  We  loved  as  brothers;  and 
0,  how  often  have  we  bowed  together  before  the 
mercy  seat,  to  unbosom  all  our  heart  to  God,  and 
breathe  forth  every  hidden  desire  of  the  soul.  Still 
he  visits  me  in  dreams,  and  again  I  hear  that  voice 
of  sweet  familiar  affection  and  tenderness.  As  a 
scholar,  he  attained  a  respectable  meed:  he  evinced 
a  marked  love  for  the  classics,  his  mind  being  of  the 
emotional  and  poetic  temperament.  But  even  in  his 
collegiate  course  his  main  drift  of  thought  seemed  to 
be  toward  writing  and  sermonizing;  thus  aiming  to 
make  all  other  attainments  serve  the  great  interests  of 
his  calling,  as  a  minister  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  In 
his  removal  I  feel  that  death  has  indeed  come  near 
to  me:  two,  whose  hands  were  linked  together  in 
sweet  and  brotherly  affection  have  been  parted — one 
taken,  the  other  left.  But  I  fondly  hope  the  separation 
is  not  final;  and  0,  that  I  may  be  prepared  to  follow 


106  MEMOIRS  OF 

him  tlirough  a  death  as  happy  and  peaceful  as  the  one 
in  which  1  am  told  'he  fell  asleep.' 

Levi  Parmely." 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Albemarle  Baptist  Associa- 
tion, Virginia,  of  which  he,  when  pastor  of  the  Char- 
lottsville  church,  was  a  member,  held  August  16, 
!S45, 

"On  motion  of  William  P.  Parish,  Esq.,  the  fol- 
lowinsr:  preamble  and  resolutions  were  unanimously 
adopted  : — 

"•  Whereas  it  has  pleased  Almighty  God  to  re- 
mov^e  by  death  our  beloved  brother,  Daniel  H. 
Gillette,  late  bishop  of  the  church  in  Charlottsville, 

"Resolved,  that  we  cherish  his  memory,  as  a  faithful 
and  efficient  minister  of  the  gospel  of  Christ;  and 
while  we  rejoice  with  him  that  so  early  he  was  re- 
leased from  his  sufferings,  and  crowned  with  the  vic- 
tor's wreath, — yet  we  can  but  deplore  the  loss  from 
our  Master's  vineyard,  of  so  successful  a  winner  of 
souls,  when  the  demand  for  such  is  so  pressing. 

'•Resolved,  that  we  tender  to  his  bereaved  widow, 
and  other  relations,  our  most  affectionate  sympathies, 
and  pray  God  that  this  dispensation  of  his  providence 
may  be  sanctified  to  both  them  and  us." 

From  the  Religious  Herald,  Va. 

"  VV^e  had  prepared  a  notice  of  the  death  of  bro.  Gil- 
lette, to  accompany  extracts  from  the  Baptist  Record. 
The  following  communication  from  a  member  of 
the  Charlottsville  church,  renders  it  unnecessary  to 
adtl  any  thing  more  on  this  subject.  He  was  an 
amiable  brother,  an  able  minister,  and  his  demise  is 
a  severe  loss  to  the  church. 


RKV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  197 

"Charlottsville,  February  22,  1845. 

"Dear  Brother  Sands, — 

"The  painful  intelligence  of  the  death  of  our  late 
beloved  pastor,  Rev.  Daniel  H.  Gillette,  has  just 
reached  us,  and,  although  our  minds  had  been,  in 
some  degree,  by  his  protracted  and  severe  illness, 
prepared  for  this  afflictive  dispensation  of  Pro- 
vidence, yet  we  cannot  but  deeply  sorrow  that  'we 
shall  see  his  face  no  more' — that  from  the  walls  of 
Zion  one  of  the  most  faithful  and  efficient  watchmen 
is  fallen — that  from  the  vineyard  of  our  Master,  a  la- 
bourer so  rarely  gifted  and  consecrated  to  the  work 
when  the  demand  for  such  is  so  pressing,  should, 
in  the  very  opening  of  a  life  giving  promise  of  so 
much  usefulness,  be  called  away,  even  though  it  be 
to  the  enjoyment  of  a  *  crown  of  life.' 

"  But  it  is  done,  and  in  the  determination  of  a  wis- 
dom which,  though  it  be  higher  tiian  we,  and  there- 
fore to  us  inscrutable,  is  yet  perfect  and  right. 
And  while  our  hearts  bleed  at  the  loss  we  experience 
— and  the  fond  hopes  we  had  indulged  of  the  great 
and  lasting  usefulness  of  the  future  labours  of  our 
brother,  lie  blasted  and  withered  at  our  feet — we 
would  school  our  heart  to  turn  from  these,  and  fol- 
lowing him  up  to  those  bright  mansions  where 

'  Sickness,  sorrow,  pain,  and  death, 
Are  felt  and  feared  no  more,' 

rejoice  with  him,  that  he  has  so  early  received  the 

glorious  reward  of  the  victor. 

"Of  brother  Gillette's  early  life  it  is  unnecessary 

that  I  should  say  any  thing.     The  task  of  collecting 

the  many  deeply  interesting  circumstances  connected 

18* 


198  MEMOIRS  OF 

with  if,  and  of  marking  its  course  as  he  triumphed 
over  difficulties  before  which  many  a  noble  spirit 
would  have  cowered,  will  no  doubt  be  assumed  by 
one  belter  prepared  in  every  respect. 

"  1  shall  content  myself  to  speak  of  him,  as  I  knew 
him  well  and  personally,  in  the  characters  of  a  pastor 
and  a  friend. 

"He  came  among  us — nay,  he  was  sent  of  God  to 
us — in  the  summer  of  1842,  and  we  were  favoured 
with  the  first  sermons  he  had  preached  for  twelve 
months;  he  having  suffered  severely  during  that 
period  from  hemorrhage  of  the  lungs,  and  its  conse- 
quent prostration. 

<'A  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  church  which  was 
tendered  him  in  July  of  that  year,  was  accepted  ;  and 
liis  labours  among  us  commenced  in  October. 

"His  health,  though  far  from  being  good,  was  so 
much  improved  that  he  was  able  to  perform,  most 
faithfully  and  acceptably,  the  arduous  labours  im- 
posed on  him  by  his  office;  and  truly  the  blessing  of 
God  was  upon  the  work  of  his  hands,  for  the  church 
was  by  his  instrumentality  'built  up  in  its  most  holy 
faith,'  and  was  made  constantly  to  rejoice  at  accessions 
of  h:ii)py  converts  to  its  growing  numbers.  So  that 
in  the  first  year  of  this  delightful  connexion,  more 
than  one  hundred  were  'added  to  the  church  of  such,' 
we  confidently  hope,  *as  shall  be  saved.' 

"But  it  was  soon  observable  that  the  insidious 
disease  which  preyed  upon  his  system  was  not 
overcome,  but  was  gradually  wearing  away  a  consti- 
tution naturally  of  the  first  order,  but  now  almost  a 
wreck ;  and  indeed  often  and  unknown  but  to  his  most 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  19S> 

intimate  friends,  his  labours  were  performed  under 
extreme  sufl'ering,  when  duly  to  himself  would  seem 
to  have  required  rest  for  the  fainting  body. 

"Laid  aside  from  the  work  for  several  months  by 
increasing  ill  health,  he  sought  the  genial  and  re- 
viving influences  of  a  southern  clime  in  the  winter  of 
1844-45.  Finding  a  home  and  friends  in  the  city  of 
Mobile,  and  his  strength  a  little  recovered,  he  com- 
menced at  once  to  supply  the  pulpit  of  the  St.  An- 
thony Street  Church,  then  vacant  by  the  death  of  its 
late  pastor,  Schrobel. 

"Winning,  as  he  did  wherever  he  went,  the  hearts 
of  all,  he  proved  a  great  blessing  to  the  church,  be- 
ing made  instrumental  in  healing  their  divisions,  in 
restoring  backsliders,  and  converting  many  from  the 
error  of  their  ways,  and  winning  them  to  Christ. 

"After  spending  the  winter  and  spring  with  that 
people  he  returned  to  the  North,  and  passing  through 
this  State,  paid  us  the  last  visit  we  enjoyed  from  him. 

"Having  accepted  before  he  left  Mobile  a  call  to  the 
pastorate  of  the  church,  he  returned  and  entered  upon 
its  duties  in  December  last.  But  debilitated  and 
worn  out;  although  continuing  his  ministrations  to 
crowded  congregations  until  within  two  weeks  of 
that  period,  he  lingered  until  the  9th  inst.,  when  he 
sweetly  'fell  asleep  in  Jesus.' 

"A  brother,  who  communed  with  him  often  during 
the  last  few  days  of  his  life,  thus  speaks  of  him 
in  a  communication  to  a  gentleman  of  this  place. 
'  During  the  last  two  weeks  of  his  life,  while  con- 
fined to  his  bed,  he  appeared  to  enjoy  uninter- 
rupted peace  of  mind;  and  having  settled  all  his  tern- 


200  MEMOIRS  OF 

poral  concerns,  had  but  one  wish,  which  was  grati- 
fied at  7  o'clock  P.  M.,  Lord's  day,  when  he  departed 
to  be  with  Christ' 

"  Brother  Gillette,  while  with  us,  by  his  native 
kindness  of  disposition,  and  suavity  of  manner,  won 
the  highest  regard  and  warmest  affection  of  all  who 
knew  him;  while  his  peculiarly  dignified  deportment 
commanded  as  generally  the  profoundest  respect. 

"A  mind  highly  cultivated  and  richly  stored  with 
useful  knowledge — with  an  unusual  flow  of  spirits — 
eminently  qualified  him  for  the  kind  ofiices  of  friend- 
ship— and  it  is  therefore  that  the  deep  pang  of  sorrow 
which  thrills  the  whole  church  at  the  sad  bereavement, 
extends  through  the  community,  there  is  not  one  of 
his  numerous  acquaintances  but  feels  that  he  has  lost 
a  friend. 

Yours  truly,      Alex.  Pope  Abell." 

A  called  session  of  the  Baptist  Church  of  Char- 
lottsville,  was  held  on  the  evening  of  Wednesday, 
Feb.  26th,  1845. 

The  painful  occasion  of  the  meeting  having  been 
stated,  the  following  preamble  and  resolutions  were 
presented,  and  after  being  seconded  in  a  feeling  ad- 
dress, were  unanimously  adopted: 

"Whereas  it  has  pleased  God  to  call  to  his  final  rest 
our  late  beloved  pastor,  D.  H.  Gillette,  we  deem 
it  proper  to  notice  the  event,  therefore, 

^'■Resolved,  That  we  cherish  with  afiection  the  me- 
mory of  our  brother  as  a  man,  a  Christian,  and  a  pas- 
tor. We  remember  with  gratitude  to  him  and  to 
his  God,  his  labours  of  love  performed  among  us 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  201 

often  in  great  personal  suffering;  and  many  of  us 
cherish  in  our  hearts  towards  him  the  affection  of 
spiritual  children. 

"  Resolved,  That  while  we  acknowledge  the  justice 
of  that  mysterious  providence  which  has  so  early 
removed  from  the  church  of  Christ  so  able  an  ambas- 
sador, yet  we  cannot  but  deplore  the  loss  of  one  so 
well  qualified  by  nature,  acquirements,  and  grace  to 
win  souls  to  Christ,  and  are  called  upon  to  pray  with 
renewed  earnestness,  that  the  Lord  of  the  harvest 
would  send  forth  more  labourers. 

^^  Resolved,  That  we  render  our  most  heart-felt 
sympathy  to  his  bereaved  companion,  and  mourn  her 
loss  as  our  loss. 

"  Resolved,  That  Rev.  Stephen  H.  Mtrick  be  re- 
quested to  preach  a  sermon  in  memory  of  our  bro- 
ther, on  Lord's-day  morning,  the  30th  of  March. 

"  Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  fur- 
nished Mrs.  Gillette,  and  the  Religious  Herald,  with 
the  request  that  they  may  be  published  in  that  paper. 
A.  P.  Abell,  Ch.  Clerk." 

"  Charlottsville,  9th  October,  1845. 
"Vert  dear  Brother, — 

"I  fear  you  will  think  me  neglectful,  if  not  indif- 
ferent, in  not  sooner  furnishing  you  with  informa- 
tion of  your  sainted  brother. 

"To  write  his  history  while  with  us — were  like 
writing  of  the  bright  meteor  as  it  flashes  through 
the  sky,  and  awakens  admiration  in  the  mind  of  the 
beholder.  Often  and  again  have  I  heard  men  who 
were  wont  to  be  reasonable — declare  as  their  asto- 
nished ears  drank  in  the  music  of  his  voice,  and  their 


202  MEMOIRS  OF 

souls  were  thrilled  with  his  startling  eloquence — that 
he  seemed  much  more  an  angel  than  a  man.  And 
as  an  inspired  historian  in  a  single  verse  recorded 
the  visit  of  a  mighty  host  of  angels  to  the  earth — 
'Shouting  glory  to  God  in  the  highest;  on  earth 
peace,  and  good-will  towards  men !'  So  I  with  hum- 
ble pen  cannot  say  much,  of  one  who,  if  not  then, 
is  now  a  bright  spirit  made  perfect  in  the  presence 
of  our  God. 

"I  had  designed  to  say  something  of  his  manner 
of  prayer,  because  this  made  a  deeper  impression  on 
my  mind  than  almost  any  thing  connected  with  his 
public  ministrations. 

"  He  seemed,  much  more  than  any  one  I  have 
seen,  to  realize  that  he  was  in  the  immediate  pre- 
sence of  Jehovah  during  this  solemn  exercise.  He 
asked  as  though  he  was  confident  he  would  receive. 
And  there  is  satisfactory  reason  to  believe  the  un- 
failing promise  of  the  Redeemer — that  such  prayer 
should  be  answered  was  frequently  fulfilled. 

"  On  one  occasion,  at  the  commencement  of  ser- 
vice, one  of  his  fervent  prayers  was  immediately  an- 
swered in  the  conversion  of  a  very  interesting  young 
lady,  having  kneeled,  burdened  with  a  sense  of  her 
sins,  she  arose  in  the  liberty  of  Jesus  Christ,  rejoicing 
in  a  sense  of  pardoned  sin. 

"Another  conversion  equally  happy  was  that  of  a 
gentleman  who  being  deeply  concerned  on  the  sub- 
ject of  religion,  requested  a  visit  from  him,  and  there, 
before  the  throne  of  grace,  as  that  dear  young  minis- 
ter of  God  pleaded  with  the  Saviour  of  sinners, — the 
Spirit  whispered  peace  to  the  troubled  soul,  and  the 
dead  in  trespasses  and  sins  was  made  alive  unto  God 


REV.  D.  H.  GILlrETTE.  '299 

"These  are  a  few  of  the  many  instances  in  which 
we  believe  that  his  prayers  were  effectual  in  se- 
curing the  blessing  of  God  in  the  salvation  of  sinners. 
His  written  sermons  furnish  an  imperfect  idea  of 
what  his  preaching  was:  although  many  were  fully 
written,  yet  getting  the  arrangement  clearly  in  his 
mind,  he  awaited  the  excitement  of  the  moment  to 
furnish  the  words  to  clothe  the  thoughts — which 
coming  fresh  from  a  spirit  yearning  for  the  salvation 
of  sinners,  and  burning  with  the  love  of  God,  often 
found  their  way  to  the  heart.  Hardened  indeed  was 
the  man  who  listened  unmoved  to  his  warnings.  I 
have  seen  the  outbreaking  sinner  of  three-score 
years  melted  as  humble  as  the  child  beneath  him. 
I  have  seen  the  little  girl,  as  in  sportive  innocence 
she  passed  charmed  by  their  sweetness,  stop  and 
with  the  trembling,  gray-headed  sinner,  fall  low  at 
the  feet  of  Jesus,  and  gladly  take  his  yoke. 

"There  was  ever  about  him  a  finish — a  grace, 
such  as  I  never  saw  in  another,  and  this  extended  to 
all  that  he  did.  In  his  intercourse  with  the  church 
and  the  world — as  a  presiding  officer,  of  the  meetings 
of  the  church,  and  even  in  making  an  appointment  for 
service — all,  all  was  done  in  his  oivn  way,  and  as 
I  have  seen  no  one  else  do  it. 

"Will  }'ou  present  me  vei^y  kindly  to  sister  Gil- 
•  lette  ?  and  believe  me  very  truly  and  affectionately, 

Alex.  Pope  Abell." 

"In  our  last  we  intimated  that  in  all  probability 
the  youngest  brother  of  the  four  Rev.  Gillettes,  had 
fallen  asleep  in  the  arms  of  the  blessed  Redeemer. 


204  MEMOIRS  OF 

We  now  confirm  the  melancholy  intimation,  and 
furnish  the  sad  intelligence. 

DIED, 

«0n  the  9th  ult,  in  the  city  of  Mobile,  the  Rev. 
D.  H.  Gillette,  youngest  son  of  the  late  Dr.  F.  B. 
Gillette,  of  Cambridge,  Washington  County,  N.  Y., 
aged  about  32  years.  The  deceased  was  a  graduate 
of  the  Hamilton  Institution  in  that  state,  and  at  the 
time  of  his  decease.  Pastor  of  the  First  Baptist 
Church  in  the  city  of  Mobile,  Ala.  A  memoir  of 
this  interesting  young  soldier  of  the  cross  may  be 
soon  expected  from  the  pen  of  his  brothers. 

"This  will  be  sad  intelligence  to  his  numerous 
friends  and  relatives  in  New  York,  New  Jersey  and 
Pennsylvania.  He  was  well  educated  and  highly 
esteemed.  Soon  after  he  graduated  he  was  installed 
Pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church  in  Rahway,  N.  J. 
While  there,  he  found  that  the  confinement  attend- 
ing the  prosecution  of  his  studies,  added  to  the  per- 
formance of  his  laborious  ministerial  duties,  had 
greatly  impaired  his  health  :  and  in  the  hope  of  re- 
gaining it,  he  removed,  about  two  years  since,  to 
Charlottsville,  Va.,  and  became  the  Pastor  of  the  Bap- 
tist Church  in  that  place.  After  remaining  a  year 
or  more  without  experiencing  any  beneficial  change, 
he  acceded  to  the  request  of  friends  and  physicians, 
and  removed  to  Mobile,  hoping  that  a  change  of 
climate  would  prove  advantageous.  He  there  as- 
sumed the  pastoral  charge  of  the  St.  Anthony  Street 
Church,  and  continued  faithfully  the  duties  of  his 
sacred  office  until  his  strength  failed.  After  being  con- 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  20& 

fined  a  few  days,  death  relieved  him  of  his  suiferings, 
and  the  spirit  of  a  faithful  servant  wended  its  way  to 

"  that  blissful  sphere 
Where  sound  the  lute-notes  of  eternal  love.'' 

"Only  five  years  have  elapsed  since  he  was  or- 
dained a  minister  of  the  Gospel;  but  his  short  ca- 
reer has  been  honourable  to  himself  and  his  ad- 
visers, and  useful  to  the  congregations  over  which 
he  has  been  placed.  He  always  listened  with  a  will- 
ing ear  to  the  pleading  of  the  distressed,  and  never 
refused  or  neglected  to  extend  to  them  a  helping 
hand.  He  had  a  feeling  heart  for  the  wayward  and 
a  consoling  word  for  the  afflicted  ;  but  both  his  la- 
bours and  his  sufferings  have  ceased,  and  we  can 
only  drop  a  tear — not  for  him, — '  after  life's  fitful 
fever  he  sleeps  well;' — but  for  those  who  are  bence- 
forth  deprived  of  his  ministrations.  He  has  left  a 
wife  and  child  to  mourn  his  loss.  May  Heaven 
bestow  its  richest  blessings  upon  the  widow  and 
orphan. — N.  American,  Phila. 

From  the  Baptist  Record. 

TO  THE  MEMORY  OF  THE  REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE,  OF  MOBILE, 

ALA. 

BY  F.  B.  GRAHAM.* 

The  minister  of  God 
Sleeps  with  his  fathers  in  the  earth's  embrace. 
It  was  the  will  of  Heaven,  and  'tis  well. 
Tears  cannot  him  resuscitate,  nor  work 
The  good  he  would  have  done  below.     Ht  needs 
No  tears,  for  they  can  ne'er  bestow  upon 
The  soul  in  Paradise  more  perfect  joy. 
I'll  weep  no  more. 

*  Editor  of  the  National  Forum,  Philadelphia;  now  of  tlie  Washington 
County  Post,  N,  V. 
19 


206  MEMOIRS  OF 

He  had  a  glorious  duty  to  perform — > 
A  mandate  from  his  Maker  to  obey, 
And  his  whole  heart  was  in  his  Saviour's  caUse. 
He  listened  to  the  lOve-inspired  command, 
"  Go  preach  the  gospel  unto  all  the  world/' 
And  with  a  willingness  to  serve  his  Lord, 
And  faith  in  all  the  Scriptures  have  proclaimed, 
He  went  a  inissioner  of  truth  and  love 
To  teach  his  fellow-men.     1  oft  have  seen, 
In  heaven's  earthly  courts,  his  bended  form, 
And  heard  his  voice  in  supplicating  tones 
Beseeching  God  to  hear  his  prayers,  and  bless 
Mankind  with  peace,  good  will  and  happiness. 

Earth  had  its  pleasures  and  its  woes  for  him. 
E'en  in  affliction  'twas  his  joy  to  serve 
Untiringly,  with  ardent  zeal,  and  faith 
Unmoved,  his  Master  who  had  placed  him  here, 
A  shepherd  o'er  a  flock  whose  future  doom 
No  human  being  can  predestinate ; 
And  faithfully  did  he  discharge  the  task 
Thus  by  th'  Almighty  given :  "  Feed  my  lambs." 
In  meekness,  love,  and  charity,  he  sought 
To  imitate  the  humble  Nazarene. 

But  the  same  Righteous  One 
Who  sent  him  here,  and  on  whose  arm  he  leaned 
For  sure  support  when  trials  weighed  him  down, 
Has  called  him  hence  and  given  hira  peace  and  rest, 
Upon  the  bosom  of  the  God  he  served. 
E'en  now  methinks  I  hear  the  Saviour's  voice 
Pronouncing  in  mild  tones,  "  Well  done,  thou  good 
And  faithful  servant ;  into  all  the  joys 
Of  thine  own  Father,  enter  thou  and  rest 
For  evermore." 

And  now,  0  God, 
Thy  richest  blessmgs  shower  on  her  he  left 
A  widowed  mourner  here.    Be  Thou,  Most  High, 
Her  Lord  and  Saviour ;  and  whene'er  beside 
The  cold  depository  of  the  dust 
Of  one  beloved  she  kneels,  be  Thou  there  too, 
And  hear  and  answer  all  her  prayers.     And  when 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  207 

She  weeps  in  sorrow  on  that  spot,  her  tears 
Will  fall  like  glittering  dew-drops  (angel's  tears,) 
Upon  the  full-blown  rose  she  nurtures  there, 
And  rise  in  fragrance  on  the  ambient  air 
A  grateful  incense  to  the  tlirone  of  Him 
Who  reigns  supreme  in  heaven. 

The  following  graphic  and  touching  outlines  of 
the  funeral  services  were  furnished  by  an  eye-witness, 
of  conceptions  and  ability  admirably  adapted  to 
value  and  portray  their  simplicity  and  impressive- 
ness. 

"Rev.  D.  H.  Gillette's  death  occurred  on  Lord's 
day  evening,  just  as  Rev.  Dr.  Babcock  of  New  York, 
had  entered  the  pulpit  which  he  had  so  lately  occu- 
pied, to  commence  the  religious  services.  During  the 
singing  of  the  second  hymn,  immediately  preceding 
the  sermon,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Grant,  who  had  been  with 
him  at  the  last  moment,  came  into  the  pulpit,  and 
whispered — "Brother  Gillette  is  in  heaven!"  The 
congregation  were  not  apprized  of  it  till  near  the 
close  of  the  discourse:  when  the  speaker  with  great 
solemnity  and  power  announced  the  mournful  tidings, 
and  endeavoured  to  lead  the  minds  of  his  hearers  to 
a  right  improvement  of  the  loud  and  impressive  warn- 
ing, which  God  was  thus  sounding  in  their  ears. 
Though  the  event  had  been  generally  anticipated, 
and  nothing  like  a  sensation  of  surprise  was  experi- 
enced; yet  the  whole  congregation  mourned  and 
wept,  many  of  them  in  audible  accents  of  grief. 

Affecting  were  the  testimonies  of  young  and  old, 
of  rich  and  poor,  of  saints  and  sinners.  All  seemed 
to  feel  that  they  had  experienced  no  common  loss. 
Many  eyes  unused  to  tears  were  suffused,  and  as  the 


208  MEMOIRS  OF 

congregation  slowly  retired  from  the  house,  many  a 
stifled  sigh,  and  tremulous,  half-choked  utterance  from 
the  multitude,  showed  plainly  how  deep  were  their 
emotions. 

At  a  late  hour  the  following  evening,  a  densely 
crowded  assembly  were  again  gathered  in  the  church, 
where  he  was  wont  to  minister.  The  shrouded, 
coffined  form  of  him  whose  eloquence  had  often  led 
them  thither,  was  now  laid  before  the  pulpit.  The 
Reverend  clergy  of  nearly  all  the  protestant  congre- 
gations were  present;  more  than  filling  the  ample  plat- 
form around  the  desk.  Several  of  these  engaged  in 
solemn  fervent  prayer.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Babcock,  after 
announcing  that  in  accordance  with  the  desire  of  the 
deceased  brother,  a  funeral  sermon  would  on  a  sub- 
sequent Lord's  day  be  delivered  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Hinton,  of  New  Orleans,  proposed  to  remark: — that 
in  a  dispensation  shrouded  with  such  thick  darkness? 
he  felt  grateful  that  the  path  to  the  sepulchre,  that 
day,  led  through  the  sanctuary,  and  invited  the  sorrow- 
ing hearts  before  him  to  give  heed  to  the  consolatory 
instructions  of  the  divine  word.  He  then  read, 
with  an  impressiveuess  never  to  be  forgotten,  appro- 
priate lessons  from  the  Psalms,  the  Prophets,  the 
Evangelists,  and  Epistles — following  them  with 
brief  and  pathetic  illustrations  and  enforcement. 
Among  others,  it  is  recollected  that  he  read  and  re- 
marked on  that  significant  portrait  drawn  by  the 
evangelical  prophet,  Isaiah  liii.  3,  of  our  divine  Re- 
deemer, as  "a  man  of  sorrows,  and  acquainted  with 
grief" — which  was  the  text  selected  by  the  deceased 
for  his  last  sermon,  an  outline  of  which  he  prepared, 


SEV.  D/  H.  GILLETTE.  200' 

but  was  unable  to  deliver.  He  had  raenticined  to 
his  beloved  companion,  while  studying  that  themcy 
that  it  seemed  now  peculiarly  appropriate  to  his- 
circumstances,  and  he  thought  he  could  enter  more 
fully  and  adequately  into  the  conception  of  it  than 
ever  before.  On  that  hint,  the  speaker  now  enlarged. 
Christian  ministers,  he  said,  were  like  their  Master, 
men  of  sorrows,  and  acquainted  with  grief.  Some  of 
the  elements  of  it  were  truthfully,  and  with  deep 
intensity  of  emotion  and  language,  delineated.  The 
multiplied  sorrows,  caused  to  the  faithful  ministers^ 
by  those  professing  to  be  disciples,  who  so  walk  as 
to  constrain  him  to  bear  testimony  against  them^ 
even  weeping,  that  they  are  enemies  of  the  cross  of 
Christ, -whose  end  is  destruction: — those  who  bite 
and  devour  one  another,  and  are  in  danger  of  being 
consumed  one  of  another : — those  who  make  their 
appetite,  or  the  world,  or  their  wilful  passions,  their 
God;  and  will  not  yield  to  be  led  by  their  Shepherd 
in  right  and  safe  paths. 

The  unbelieving,  too,  cause  the  minister  of  Christ 
to  be  acquainted  with  grief,  when  he  mourns  and 
weeps  over  them  in  vain,  and  they  refuse  to  come  to 
the  full  fountain  of  life  and  love,  and  drink  of  its 
healing  waters.  Pungently  did  he  enforce  on  those 
who  from  that  sacred  desk  had  heard  the  tongue 
now  silent  in  death,  pleading  with  them, — and  yet 
had  disregarded  those  entreaties, — that  now  the  am- 
bassador had  returned  to  Him  who  had  commission- 
ed him,  and  would  there  make  a  faithful  report. 
Conjuring  them  to  prepare  without  delay  to  meet 
there,  the  speaker  finished  this  part  of  his  address. 
19* 


210  MEMOIRS  OF 

Turning  then  to  that  sublime  exode  of  the  Apos- 
tle, 2  Timothy,  iv.  6,  7:  "I  am  now  ready  to  be  of- 
fered, and  the  time  of  my  departure  is  at  hand," 
having  fought  the  good  fight,  and  kept  the  faith,  and 
finished  the  course,  he  looked  with  confidence  for 
the  crown  of  righteousness  to  be  given  him!  and  in 
a  few  words  of  glowing  lofty  eloquence  he  portrayed 
the  splendours  of  that  crown — as  one  who  hoped 
through  grace  himself  to  reach  it — as  one  whose  re- 
joicing sympathy  exulted  in  the  thought  that  this 
late  suffering  brother  had  reached  and  wore  it  now. 

Then  followed  an  address  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Grant, 
to  the  bereaved  companion,  and  to  the  church.  At 
the  grave,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Hamilton,  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian church,  spoke  with  his  accustomed  ability. 

Thus  closed  this  solemn  day,  and  many  a  throb- 
bing heart  bore  testimony  to  the  power  of  youthful 
genius  and  eloquence  and  loveliness  thus  early  laid 
low, — to  win  its  highest  homage. 

The  following  is  from  a  Mobile  paper: — 

Obituary  or  the  Rev.  D.  H.  Gillette. 
When  the  grave  has  closed  over  the  mortal  remains 
of  unusual  talent  and  worth — of  piety  and  religious 
beneficence,  it  is  a  privilege  of  survivors  to  pause  a 
moment  in  the  giddy  whirl  of  life's  career,  and  mark 
that  they  may  imitate  such  excellence.  An  occa- 
sion of  this  kind  is  furnished  us  in  the  early  removal 
of  the  individual  named  at  the  head  of  this  article. 
The  brief  incidents  of  his  short  earthly  career  may 
be  first  noticed,  before  attempting  an  honest  estimate 
of  his  character. 

Daniel  Holbrook  Gillette  was  born  'near  the 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  211 

village  of  Cambridge,  N.  Y.  His  father,  a  highly 
esteemed  physician,  died  when  his  young  son  was 
five  years  old.  Reared  by  the  fraternal  care  of  a 
married  sister,  at  the  age  of  18  he  became  decidedly 
pious,  and  two  years  later  commenced  a  course  of 
studies  for  the  Christian  ministry.  He  completed 
his  course  with  honor  and  success  in  1840,  and  he 
was  ordained  pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church  in  Rah- 
way,  N.  J.,  where  he  ministered  acceptably  and  use- 
fully for  18  months.  At  this  period  he  suffered  a 
violent  hemorrhage  of  the  lungs,  which  laid  him  by 
from  preaching  one  year.  Having  partially  re- 
covered, he  accepted  a  call  from  the  Baptist  Church 
in  Charlottsville,  Va.,  and  commenced  his  labours 
with  them  in  October,  1842.  So  successful  was  his 
ministry  there,  that  during  six  months  one  hun- 
dred were  added  to  the  church.  Having  suffered 
from  the  recurrence  of  ill  health,  he  was  constrained 
in  the  autumn  of  1843  to  visit  Mobile;  and  was  soon 
invited  to  occupy  the  pulpit  of  the  St.  Anthony  Street 
Church,  then  vacant  by  the  recent  death  of  the  la- 
mented ScHROBEL.  After  mutual  and  satisfactory  ac- 
quaintance he  was  invited,  by  a  unanimous  vote  of  this 
church,  to  become  its  pastor.  In  accepting  this  im- 
portant post,  it  was  distinctly  understood  between 
him  and  the  people  of  his  charge,  that  every  practi- 
cable indulgence  should  be  extended  to  him  on  ac- 
count of  his  infirm  health.  Accordingly,  he  spent  the 
last  summer  North,  and  returned  to  his  post  in  De- 
cember last.  Though  evidently  and  rapidly  sinking 
under  disease,  he  continued  to  officiate  till  within 
two  weeks  of  his  death,  and  finally  fell  asleep  in 
peace  on  Sabbath  evening. 


212  MEMOIRS  OF 

His  brief  sojourn  among  us  has  endeared  him  un- 
commonly to  all  who  enjoyed  his  acquaintance.  His 
bland,  engaging  manners,  his  guileless  and  affection- 
ate heart  won  the  love  of  all  who  knew  him.  These 
traits  of  character  shone  conspicuously  in  his  pastoral 
relation.  He  loved  its  tender,  solemn,  and  assiduous 
toils,  and  as  far  as  his  strength  allowed  he  discharged 
them  in  the  most  acceptable  and  useful  manner. 

His  native  endowments  both  of  mind  and  heart, 
were  of  a  superior  order.  Few  men  so  young,  who 
have  grappled  with  so  much  infirmity  and  interruption, 
have  risen  so  high  or  accomplished  so  much.  Una- 
ble from  feeble  health  to  devote  himself  to  laborious 
and  extensively  studious  research,  his  preaching  was 
rather  the  exhibition  of  what  his  own  genius  and  elo- 
quence could  accomplish,  than  an  exemplification  of 
the  garnered  stores  of  theological  wisdom.  It  may 
have  proved  less  didactic  and  variously  instructive  to 
some  portions  of  his  hearers  than  he  would  other- 
wise have  rendered  it;  but  in  the  power  to  interest, 
to  chain  the  thoughts  and  warm  the  affections  of  his 
hearers,  he  had  few  superiors.  The  angelic  sweet- 
ness and  pathos  of  his  oratory  never  failed  to  make 
a  favourable  impression,  and  take  him  all  in  all,  not 
soon  shall  we  look  upon  his  like  agaip. 

The  simple  but  affecting  rites  of  sepulture,  were 
attended  at  the  church  where  he  was  wont  to  offi- 
ciate, the  evening  after  his  decease.  The  thronged 
attendance  of  a  deeply  sympathizing  audience,  and 
the  touching  and  truthful  testimonies  in  his  behalf 
furnished  by  nearly  all  the  clergymen  in  the  city, 
were  an  appropriate  sequel  to  the  good  man's  life. 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  213 

The  tears  of  gratitude  and  sympathy  of  the  sorrow- 
ing whom  he  had  comforted,  the  ignorant  whom  his 
lips  and  life  have  taught,  the  wayward  and  care- 
less whom  he  has  faithfully  warned,  and  the  pious 
whose  faith  and  hope  he  has  strengthened,  shall  be 
his  sweet  memorial. "  * 

The  eminent  and  sacredly  social  source,  from 
whence  the  following  sweet  tribute  comes,  (Fanny 
Forester's  pure  pen,)  entitles  it  to  a  high  rank 
and  welcome  place  among  these  closing  memorials 
of  one  whose  heart,  though  masculine,  "was  warm 
too,  and  full  of  exquisite  sensibility." 

"  My  highly  esteemed  Friend, — 

I  have  spoken  often  to  you  of  your  brother  Daniel, 
whom  I  remember  with  much  interest.  My  brother 
and  he  were  friends,  while  he  was  a  student,  and 
they  often  came  together  to  our  snug  little  home,  to 
make  us  a  visit.  I  was  young,  and  perhaps  thought 
more  of  personal  than  intellectual  qualities.  Yet 
the  loveliness  of  his  character — so  simple  and  truth- 
ful— was  a  thing  within  the  limits  of  my  compre- 
hension. He  always  brought  a  gleam  of  sunshine 
to  us,  which  made  us  dread  to  have  him  go  away. 
He  was  a  general  favourite  with  both  old  and  young. 
He  sometimes  preached  for  us;  and  although  these 
were  among  his  very  earliest  sermons,  I  can  assure 
you  he  never  lacked  for  interested  hearers.  There 
was  something  exceedingly  soft  and  winning  in  his 
voice  and  manner,  which  drew  all  hearts  to  him,  and 
consequently  to  the  truths  he  was  presenting. 

"  After  he  left  Hamilton,  I  watched  him  at  a  dis- 


214  MEMOIRS    OF 

tance;  until  the  shadow  of  the  grave  was  tlirown 
upon  his  brilliant  prospects;  and  Jesus  Ciirist  took 
the  loved  disciple  to  himself.  His  labours  were 
soon  ended,  his  course  early  finished,  and  he  is  now 
in  glory.  God  grant  that  we  may  meet  him  there, 
with  others  that  we  have  loved  in  this  life — with 
saints  and  angels,  and  our  incarnate  Saviour. 
Ever  yours,  most  sincere!}^, 

Emily  Chubbuck.'* 

"  Is  aught  so  fair 
As  virtuous  friendshipl" 

Surely  when  those  we  loved  are  upward  taken,  it 
is  no  oHence  to  own 

"  That  our  bosoms  e'er  incline 
Toward  immortal  glory's  throne." 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE. 


216 


The  annexed  engraving  will  give  a  general  idea 
of  the  marble    obelisk  which    now  marks  the  sa- 
cred spot  where  rest  the  mortal  remains  of  our  la 
mented  brother  and  his  baby  boy. 


Dr.  Babcock,  whose  sympathies  are  so  kindly 
expressed  in  his  depicting  the  death-scene  of  our 
moral  hero,  was  not  weary  in  well  doing.  His  kind 
heart  prompted  the  suggestion  to  the  churches  in 


216  MEMOIRS  OF 

Rah  way,  Charlottsville,  and  Mobile;  and  we  are 
happy  to  know  that  it  found  a  responsive  throb  in 
each  of  those  parishes.  Means  were  furnished,  and 
the  Dr.  procured  in  New  York,  an  elegant  Italian 
marble  monument  twelve  feet  high,  of  symmetrical 
proportions — and  it  now  stands  over  that  hallowed 
dust,  on  which  God  and  Christ  look  down-,  intend- 
ing to  raise  it  at  the  resurrection  of  the  just  at  the 
last  day. 

The  inscriptions  upon  it  are  as  follow : — 
.  {East  side.) 

REV.    DANIEL    H.    GILLETTE. 

Born  in  Cambridge,  N.  Y.,  1813;  died  in 
Mobile,  Alabama,  Feb., 
1845;  aged  32. 

[North  side.) 
Ordained  in  Rah  way,  N.  J.,  July,  1840;  he  served 
the  Baptist  church  there — that  in  Charlotts- 
ville, Va.,  and  that  in  Mobile,  as  an 
eloquent  preacher  and  beloved 
pastor  till  his  death. 

{South  side.) 
A  o-raduateof  Hamilton  Seminary,  N.  Y.;  a  scholar 
of  respectable  attainments;   the   best  of  hus- 
bands, and  a  rejoicing  father.    In  all  the 
various  relations  greatly  beloved 
and  respected  now  equally^ 
deplored. 

( West  Side.) 
Erected  by  the  churches 

lie  served. 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  217 

The  important  agency  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Babcock 
is  duly  appreciated  by  a  mourning  company,  who 
in  the  language  of  Oberlin  can  sincerely  say,  they 
are  "Uncertain  whether  they  are  more  sensi- 
ble OF  THE  LOSS,  OR  THE  JOY  OF  HAVING  POSSESSED 
SUCH  A  BROTHER." 

In  view  of  the  above  exhibition  of  timely  sympa- 
thy from  that  kind  minister,  who  with  one  of  the 
biographers  was  for  several  years  associated  as  col- 
league in  the  work  of  the  gospel  in  Philadelphia, 
we  must  say  with  our  favourite  poet  and  philoso- 
pher, and  indeed  let  us  apply  it  to  the  many  who 
abounded  in  kindness  to  our  long  afflicted  but  now 
glorified  brother, — 

"I've  heard  of  hearts  unkind,  unkind  deeds 
With  coldness  still  returning. 
Alas!  the  gratitude  of  men 

Hath  oftener  left  me  mourning." 

"  IN  MEMORY  OF  THE  REV.  D.  H.  G. 

"  The  case  of  my  friend  has  such  a  hold  on  me  thai 
I  cannot  shake  it  off.  There  is  scarcely  a  night  in 
which  I  do  not  dream  of  him,  with  dreams  of  so 
vivid  and  half  wakeful  a  character,  that  their  im- 
pression remains  with  me  through  the  day.  So 
long  as  he  was  alive  and  there  was  any  hope,  he 
was  the  object  of  my  anxieties.  His  long  illness, 
and  final  decease,  have  become  now  the  subject  of 
thought.  He  died  in  the  midst  of  usefulness.  He 
died  in  the  enjoyment  of  universal  confidence  and 
respect.  He  died  in  the  satisfaction  of  unwearied 
and  unbounded  love.  He  was  one  in  whom  the 
spirit  "o'er-informed"  the  flesh.  He  had  a  great 
20 


218  MEMOIRS  OF 

heart,  and  its  throbbings  had  worn  out  its  frame. 
The  overworking  of  the  mind  had  loosed  his  hold 
on  life.  He  sank  under  the  shock  of  the  disease 
which  assailed  him.  Though  not  for  himself  too 
soon,  it  is  too  soon  for  us.  His  greatness  grew  with 
every  day.  The  vigour  of  his  mind  grappled  all 
subjects,  and  could  master  all.  His  generous  enthu- 
siasm kindled  the  hearts  that  it  drew  to  him  with  its 
own  fires.  And  in  the  last  service  of  his  life — his 
very  last  developed  with  all  that  is  bravest  in  a  man, 
whatever  in  a  woman  is  most  lovely  and  engaging. 

Of  his  intellectual  character  and  attainments,  of 
the  daily  beauty  of  his  social  and  domestic  life,  of 
his  Christian  walk  and  conversation,  others  have 
spoken,  and  will  speak  with  fuller  opportunities 
than  I  could  have.  Few  with  a  fuller  love.  I 
never  met  with  him  that  we  did  not  warm  or  grow 
together.  He  was  a-glow  with  all  the  generous  in- 
stincts of  humanity.  They  were  refined,  in  him,  and 
sanctified,  by  the  "live  coal,"  which  seraphs  have 
in  hand.  He  combined  most  rarely  a  keen,  broad, 
sound  and  manly  practicalness  with  the  loftiest  and 
most  generous  enthusiasm.  I  have  often  thought, 
that  had  he  not  been  a  good  theologian,  he  would 
have  been  a  good  poet.  He  illustrated  this  in  his 
zealous  devotion  to  that,  which,  of  all  pursuits  of 
men,  combines  the  most  of  the  practical  with  the 
best  of  the  poetical,  the  gospel.  It  was  his  favourite 
study,  and  most  fervent  theme.  He  was  in  love  with 
it.  "You  will  say,"  he  said  to  me,  in  his  own 
hearty  playfulness,  "that  I  have  stolen  your  thun- 
der!" 


REV.  D.  H.  GILLETTE.  219 

His  last  acts  and  words  were  of  friendship.  And, 
what  I  value  most  of  all,  I  was  among  the  thoughts 
of  his  last  hours. — None,  from  beyond  the  imme- 
diate circle  in  which  my  life  is  passed,  have  won 
from  me  a  livelier  interest  and  affection.  No  mes- 
sage from  a  death-bed  has  come  nearer  to  my  heart, 
or  dwells  more  warmly  there. 

Into  the  secret  place  of  that  venerable  mother's 
sorrow  to  whom  this  stroke  comes  so  near,  it  were 
rude  to  enter.  Thanks  be  to  God  for  the  revela- 
tion, which  the  ages  that  had  wandered  from  him 
farthest  cherished  as  a  pleasing  dream,  "that  the 
bolt  makes  sacred  what  it  strikes!"  Her  heart 
bowing  says — "Though  my  son  will  not  return  to  me, 
yet  I  shall  go  to  him." 


Note. — Among  the  many  fragments  from  his 
gifted  mind,  which  have  survived  him,  our  brother 
left  many  sermons,  fully  and  carefully  written, — but 
they  cannot,  in  print,  carry  with  them  that  manner, 
voice,  spirit,  look,  and  impressive  pathos,  that 
glowed  so  brilliantly  in  their  simple  delivery. 

The  following,  we  give  just  as  his  pen  left  it. 


APPENDIX. 


Sermon  preached  before  the  East  New  Jersey  Missionary  So- 
ciety, at  its  meeting,  in  the  City  of  Newark,  in  the  summer 
of  1842,  on  Christian  Faith. 

*  BY  DANIEL  HOLBROOK  GILLETTE. 

"By  faith  Noah,  being  warned  of  God  of  things  not  seen  as  yet,  moved 
with  fear,  prepared  an  ark  to  the  saving  of  his  house  ;  by  the  which  he  con- 
demned the  world,  and  became  heir  of  the  righteousness  whicli  is  by  faith." 
— Hebrews  xi.  7. 

All  the  inspired  writers  have,  with  great  earnestness 
and  zeal,  insisted  on  the  plan  of  infinite  wisdom.  They 
saw  this  plan,  perfect  in  all  its  parts,  immutable  in 
all  its  results,  stretching  over,  and  embracing  the  whole 
field  of  their  labour,  the  same  eternal  and  unchanging 
counsel  of  God.  In  this  scheme  they  rejoiced,  and  upon 
it  they  rested ;  nor  did  it  at  all  lessen  their  views  of  human 
duty,  or  weaken  their  confidence  in  the  instrumentality  of 
man.  For  though  they  taught  the  election  of  God  as  sure 
and  indefeasable,  yet  too  frequent  had  been  their  attacks 
with  the  powers  of  darkness,  and  too  signal  had  been  their 
conquests,  to  allow  them  to  doubt  that  one  of  the  most  effec- 
tual methods  in  which  God  was  pleased  to  accomplish  his 
own  purposes  among  the  nations  of  the  earth,  is  in  sending 
man  to  work.  From  the  time  when  men  first  began  to  call 
upon  the  name  of  the  Lord,  even  down  to  this  day,  it  has 
been  proven  clear  as  demonstration  can  make  it,  and  to  the 
full  satisfaction  of  every  sincere  Christian  thinker,  that  with- 
out faith  it  is  impossible  to  please  God,  and  in  proportion 
to  every  man's  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  in  the 
?0* 


222  APPENDIX. 

bright,  cheering  promises  of  Jehovah,  would  be  his  pleasure 
and  success.     The  world,  overspread  with  polluted  waters, 
and  enshrouded  with  fogs  of  corruption,  is  destined  to 
emerge  the  flood,  peer  through  the  darkness,  and  roll  in  eter- 
nal light.     But  this  has  been  revealed  to  man  only  through 
the  medium  of  divine  communication,  and  impressed  upon 
his  mind  by  the  controlling  and  transforming  influence  of  the 
Holy  Ghost.     In  every  age,  all  who  obeyed  God  were  led  on 
to  duty  and  to  toil,  while  all  they  saw  was  gloomy  and  terri- 
fic.    Nevertheless,  they  did  not  stagger  at  the  promise,  for 
every  advancing  step  increased  their  vigour  for  the  next, 
until  with  more  than  giant  tread  they  entered  their  field 
of  action,  and  with  faith's  keen  eye  surveyed  it  as  Jheir  in- 
heritance, won  by  themselves  through  Christ,  and  secured 
to  them  by  the  love  and  power  of  God.     It  was  proper  for 
Jehovah  to  drown  the  old  world  because  they  would  not 
believe  on  him  and  repent  of  their  sins;  and  though  he  com- 
manded Noah  to  build  an  ark  120  years  before  the  flood, 
yet  so  strong  was  his  faith  in  the  wisdom  and  purposes  of 
God,  that  he  cheerfully  entered  upon  the  work;  and,  awed 
into  reverence,  and  humility,  and  believing  the  world  would 
yet  be  deluged,  with  great  fervour  and  zeal  he  ceased  not, 
during  all  this  time,  to  preach  the  acceptable  year  of  the 
Lord,   and   the   day  of  vengeance  of  our   God.     He   left 
nothing  undone,  and  when  the  windows  of  heaven  were 
opened,  and  the  deep  could  no  longer  keep  her  fountains, 
he  calmly  looked  upon  the  gathering  storm,  entered  the 
ark  with  all  his  family,  and, ,  when  millions  were  driven 
away  in  their  own  wickedness,  this  bark  with  her  sacred 
crew,  rested  beautifully  upon  its  own  shadow,  borne  on 
and  directed  by  an  unseen  hand,  and  was  saved  from  the 
ruins  of  an  ungodly  world.     It  was  the  faith  of  Noah 
which  made  him  believe  that  the  wicked  would  be  drowned, 
and  through  fear  to  offend,  through  love  to  obey  God  he 
built  an  ark,  to  the  saving  of  his  house,  from  which,  ou 
the  waves'  mountain  height,  he  looked  down  upon  a  guilty 
and  condemned  world,  and  by  faith  and  works  combined 
he  became  heir  of  the  righteousness  which  is  by  faith. 


APPENDIX.  223 

Christian  faith  is  the  subject  of  this  discourse ;  which  we 
shall  make  the  basis  of  a  few  thoughts. 
L  On  the  power,  and, 
II.  The  rewards  of  faith. 

I.  The  power  of  faith. — It  is  written  that  faith  is  the  sub- 
stance of  things  hoped  for,  the  evidence  of  things  not  seen. 
And  we  have  only  to  adopt  the  same  process  of  reasoning 
in  spiritual  which  all  enjoy  in  temporal  things,  to  show  the 
human  mind  highly  susceptible  of  an  exercise  by  which  it 
yields  assent  to  divine   authority  without   natural  proof. 
This  is  faith  J  a  principle  not  more  elevated  in  its  nature 
than  glorious  in  its  tendencies, — it  is  full  of  grandeur  and 
sublimity.    It  makes  the  whole  man  subservient  to  all  its 
purposes,  withdraws  him  from  the  senses,  gives  him  intel- 
lectual nerve,  and  advances  him  in  the  dignity  of  a  think- 
ing being.     None  can  possess  this  principle  and  be  insen- 
sible of  its  mightiness — like  the  fires  of  Etna,  it  cannot  be 
confined — its  first  developments  may  be  only  a  few  feeble 
corruscations,  but  anon  it  bursts  forth  in  full  blaze,  and  burns 
to  immeasurable  height.     There  is  no  faith  without  works 
acceptable  with  God;  and  in  its  simple  exercise  the  saint 
feels  great  majesty  of  mind,  and  his  thoughts  seem  omni- 
potent.    The  momentary  interests  of  self  find  no  place  in 
his  soul,  and  he  counts  all  the  suff'erings  of  this  present  life 
not  worthy  to  be  compared  with  the  glory  that  shall  be  re- 
vealed hereafter.    His  thoughts  soar  above,  and  he  knows 
it  well  adapted  not  only  to  the  brilliancy  of  present  effect; 
but  to  the  purpose  of  more  invincible  endurance,  for  on 
more  occasions  than  one  has  she  arisen  like  the  phcenix 
from  the  ashes  of  desolation,  plumed  her  pinions  anew,  and 
with  more  ample  circumference  of  motion,  mounted  again 
towards  her  native  heaven.     The  child  of  God  drinks  down 
the  spirit  of  unbending  audacity,  and  makes  the  future 
predominate  over  the  present,  and  firmly,  believes  in  the 
existence  of  things  not  seen.     He  bends  a  keen,  piercing 
glance  on  the  weight  of  eternal  glory,  and  makes  this  a 
constant  motive  to  vigorous,  perpetual  action.     It  enables 
him,  though  a  feeble  worm  of  the  dust,  to  take  strong  hold 


224  APPENDIX. 

upon  all  the  perfections  of  Deity,  and  trusting  in  the  vera- 
city of  God,  the  righteousness  of  Christ,  and  the  faithfulness 
of  the  Holy  Ghost,  he  fastens  his  hand  on  the  eternal 
throne, 

"  And  bids  earth  roll,  nor  feels  her  idle  whirl." 

Thus  stimulated,  he  cheerfully  practises  self-denial  and 
benevolence  J  and,  placing  a  firm  reliance  on  the  faith- 
fulness and  verity  of  all  the  divine  promises  revealed, 
he  evinces  the  spirit  and  excellency  of  his  calling  by  at 
once,  and  joyfully,  becoming  an  agent  in  carrying  out 
that  stupendous  scheme  which  is  destined  to  cleanse 
the  earth  from  every  foul  blot.  And  the  servants  of 
God  have  always  succeeded  in  every  sacred  enterprise 
in  proportion  to  their  faith.  Do  obstacles  arise  mountain 
high?  if  thy  faith  be  as  a  grain  of  mustard  seed,  thou 
shalt  say  to  them,  Be  ye  removed,  even  into  the  depths 
of  the  sea,  and  they  shall  obey  thee.  Faith  has  hushed 
the  lion's  roar,  calmed  the  fierce  wave,  and  dried  up  the 
sea. 

Sustained  by  this,  the  ancient  people  of  God  eagerly 
looked  for  the  rising  of  the  gospel  sun,  which  by  the  pur- 
pose of  God,  was  to  beam  on  the  darkened  east — to  throw 
light  over  on  the  distant  west — to  encircle  the  world  with  its 
rays,  and  shine  with  more  than  noontide  effulgence  on  all  the 
nations  of  the  earth.  Though  the  religious  ceremonies  of 
that  ancient  economy  were  but  dim  shadows  of  living 
realities,  nevertheless,  they  became  vast  sublimities  by 
revealing  what  is  profound  and  terrible  in  invisible  power, 
and,  by  the  ardour  of  the  suppliants,  seemed  about  equally 
blended  with  beauty  and  loveliness.  So  firmly  was  their 
confidence  fixed  in  the  unseen  reality,  while  they  enjoyed 
the  deep,  luxuriant  shadow,  that  no  earthly  power  could 
move  them.  The  patriarch  could  leave  his  home  and  kin- 
dred, sever  all  ties  of  consanguinity,  and  journey  to  a  dis- 
tant, unexplored  land,  led  only  by  the  promptings  of  an  un- 
seen hand — and  with  equal  readiness  would  he  have  bathed 
the  dreadful  knife  in  the  vitals  of  his  son,  had  it  pleased 
the  mind  of  the  Lord.     Time  would  fail  us  to  observe  the 


APPENDIX.  225 

many  striking  examples  in  which  the  power  of  faith  is 
seen  equalled  by  no  human  strength.  But  let  us  take  one 
more  as  seen  in  the  rites  of  the  temple  worship,  than 
which  nothing  can  be  conceived  more  imposing  and  sub- 
lime ;  that  the  suppliants,  while  won  by  the  attractions  of 
the  scene,  might  be  awed  into  humility,  contrition,  and 
adoration.  There  were  the  priests  ministering  before  the 
Lord  in  their  splendid  livery — victims  burning  upon  the 
altar,  from  which  savoury  vapour  floated  off  upon  the 
breezes — skirting  the  brow  of  the  neighbouring  mountains 
with  beautiful  festoons.  The  sound  of  the  golden  bells 
fastened  to  the  high  priest's  robes,  as  he  entered  the  holy 
of  holies — mingled  with  the  half  uttered  and  half  sup- 
pressed ejaculations  of  ten  thousand  hearts,  pleading  with 
God  that  their  offerings  might  be  accepted  and  their  sins 
forgiven.  The  vast  concourse  filling  the  temple  and 
stretching  off  in  the  distance  like  a  forest  of  moving  trees. 
— These  are  the  brief  outlines  of  a  scene  that  was  yearly 
repeated  before  the  enraptured  view  of  God's  ancient  peo- 
ple. But  their  faith  only  made  their  worship  acceptable 
— enabled  them  to  wait  patiently  for  the  coming  Messiah, 
and  disclosed  to  their  mind  a  much  sublimer  scene  beyond. 
They  listened  to  the  stirring  melody  of  the  prophetic  muse, 
and  it  seemed  as  the  voice  of  angels.  The  abrupt  and 
broken,  but  mighty  accents  of  the  rapt  seer,  were  equally 
cheering,  for  they  proclaimed  liberty  to  the  captives — the 
opening  of  prisons  to  them  that  are  bound — the  ultimate 
destruction  of  sin,  and  the  universal  triumph  of  peace.  All 
this  they  firmly  believed,  and  though  they  little  expected 
to  see  it,  yet  they  knew  that  such  would  be  the  condition 
of  the  world,  and  that  all  nations  would  enjoy  peace  like  a 
river  of  righteousness — like  the  waves  of  the  sea. 

Faith,  by  the  great  apostle,  is  called  the  substance  of 
hope,  or  of  things  hoped  for,  and  hope  he  compares  to  an 
anchor:  now  what  is  the  power  of  faith  but  the  securing  of 
the  soul  from  all  trouble,  toil,  and  affliction'?  Yon  anchored 
ship  enjoys  rest  from  the  labouring  sea,  and  though  winds 
howl  through  her  cordage,  and  the  ocean  heave  with  mad- 


226  APPENDIX. 

ness,  though  the  storm  rage,  and  heaven  seem  discharging 
its  fearful  artillery  upon  the  face  of  the  boiling  deep,  yet 
neither  ship  nor  crew  are  in  danger  either  of  the  might  of 
the  tempest,  the  violence  of  the  impetuous  flood,  or  of 
the  surge-repelling  rock,  for  they  have  both  outrode  the 
storm,  and  are  safely  moored  in  a  haven  of  rest.  They 
watched  the  breeze,  kept  an  eye  upon  the  polar  star,  and  a 
hand  on  the  helm,  and  when  they  entered  the  harbour  they 
cast  anchor,  whose  flukes  take  hold  upon  the  mountain's 
firm  base,  and  though  they  may  have  been  brushed  by  the 
sweeping  wing  of  the  gale,  yet  now  they  defy  the  raging 
elements,  and  rest  from  all  their  toil. 

Brethren,  we  are  yet  upon  life's  foaming  sea,  and  our 
bark,  at  times,  is  fearfully  tossed  by  opposing  winds  and 
storms;  her  rigging  now  and  then  creaks,  she  careens  to  the 
water's  edge,  we  tremble,  lift  our  hand  in  fearful  weakness, 
expecting  to  be  overborne ;  darkness  gathers,  and  discou- 
ragements ensue.  But  the  cloud  parts,  the  gale  subsides, 
our  ship  comes  erect,  and  we  glide  on,  and  again  see  our 
polar  star  3  'tis  the  bright  star  of  Bethlehem.  A  few  more 
such  storms  and  life's  toils  are  past.  But  we  have  now 
an  anchor  cast  within  the  veil,  which  fastens  on  to  Christ 
the  rock  of  ages,  a  rock  rent  from  before  the  foundation  of 
the  world,  to  make  fastening-places  for  the  anchor  of  the 
believing  mariner.  Let  us  all  hold  to  that  anchor  with 
faith's  strong  grasp,  and  no  power  can  harm  us.  And  amid 
passing  elements  and  revolving  worlds  we  will  keep  our  eye 
steadily  fixed  on  the  mark  for  the  prize  of  the  high  calling 
of  God  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord.  And  by  and  by,  though 
the  shore  of  eternity  be  strewn  with  the  broken  fragments 
of  ten  thousand  wrecked  barks,  yet  we,  with  the  whole 
church  of  the  redeemed,  with  the  entire  host  of  God's  elect 
gathered  up  and  brought  in  from  all  the  kindreds  of  the  earth, 
will  float  in  Zion's  ship  on  the  unrulRed  surface  of  yon 
sea  of  glass;  through  faith  we  shall  reap  a  rich  reward  for 
every  sacrifice,  sorrow,  and  affliction.  Fathers  and  brethren, 
be  not  wearied  in  well  doing,  for  in  due  time  ye  shall 
reap  if  ye  faint  not ;  for  these  light  afflictions  which  are 


APPENDIX.  227 

but  for  a  moment  work  out  for  us  a  far  more  exceeding  and 
eternal  weight  O'f  glory,  while  we  look  not  at  the  things 
which  are  seen,  for  they  are  temporal,  but  at  the  things 
which  are  not  seen,  for  they  are  eternal. 

0  Lord,  increase  our  faith,  "  for  by  grace  are  we  saved 
through  faith;  and  that  not  of  ourselves,  it  is  the  gift  of 
God."  We  are  admonished  here  to  speak  of  the  rewards 
of  faith. 

II.  The  rewards  of  faith  are  twofold — they  pertain  to  this 
and  to  the  world  to  come.  We  do  not  live,  however,  in  an 
age  of  council,  like  that  of  the  third  century,  when  Con- 
stantine  sat  on  the  throne,  and  was  made  head  of  the 
church,  and  cruelty  oppressed  the  humble  follower  of 
Jesus;  neither  is  it,  like  the  seventh,chivalrous  and  bloody — 
when  Mahomed,  with  his  creed  in  one  hand  and  a  sword 
in  the  other,  rode  on  conquering  and  to  conquer;  nor  is  it 
like  the  sixteenth  century,  when  the  voice  of  Luther  and 
Melanchthon  shook  down  profane  crucifixes  and  altars,  and 
made  all  Europe  tremble. 

But  this  is  an  age  of  light  and  reason — an  age  in  which 
the  truth  appears  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  except  it  be  clothed 
and  burdened  with  the  inventions  and  dogmas  of  men. 
And  it  is  our  province,  as  a. denomination,  to  strip  off  the 
last  vestige  of  error,  and  give  it  to  the  world,  as  it  came 
from  the  Holy  Ghost.  This  day,  kings  and  prophets  longed 
to  see,  but  died  without  the  sight. 

The  first  advocates  of  Christianity,  though  amid  the  first 
glory  of  the  gospel  and  the  full  blaze  of  miracle,  required 
then  the  greater  assistance,  for  they  were  obliged  to  en- 
counter the  stronger  opposition.  Before  an  indiscriminate 
throng  adopted  one  common  creed;  but  now  a  despised 
few  were  contending  with  the  world.  The  proud  Pharisee 
scorned  the  humble  doctrines  of  the  cross;  the  Sadducee  de- 
nied the  resurrection  of  Christ;  and  the  vile,  besotted  Gentile 
worshipped  the  gods  of  this  world.  To  all  these  the  church 
was  then  destined  to  administer  the  bread  and  water  of 
life;  and  though  few  and  feeble,  yet  their  faith  never  failed 
them.    They  took  the  spoiling  of  their  goods  joyfully,  and, 


228  APPENDIX. 

looking  through  the  vista  of  ages,  saw  the  church  in  more 
than  its  present  magnificence  and  glory.  At  the  first,  it 
seemed  as  a  little  stone  cut  from  the  mountain  without 
hands — small  and  unshapely — but  they  saw  it  roll  on  till  it 
became  a  great  mountain  and  filled  the  whole  earth.  They 
■were  denounced  and  persecuted  by  all  nations,  but  stood 
unmoved — were  happy  in  flames  that  consumed  them — and, 
with  the  sword  of  the  Spirit,  slew  thousands  at  their  death, 
and  were  then  ready  to  be  offered;  for  they  had  finished 
their  work ;  they  had  kept  the  faith,  and  were  fitted  for  a 
righteous  crown.  These  now  all  rest  from  their  labours, 
but  their  works  follow  them. 

But  that  age,  with  all  its  cruelties,  is  past ;  the  present, 
however,  does  not  allow  us  to  be  idle.  Though  sentiments 
of  truth  and  virtue  have  made  signal  triumph  and  obtained 
apparent  favour  in  the  eyes  of  the  world,  yet  now  even  the 
more  arch  and  subtile  are  the  enemies  of  the  cross.  They 
make  every  possible  and  vigorous  attempt  at  success.  Their 
schemes  appear  harmless — tinctured  with  sufficient  truth 
to  deceive — they  shine  to  allure,  and  allure  to  destroy. 
Human  wisdom  alone  cannot  detect  them,  it  requires  wis- 
dom from  above — the  unrenewed  soul  can  do  nothing  in 
the  conflict,  it  requires  the  light  of  God's  countenance  with 
the  light  of  reason — for  these  things  are  spiritually  discern- 
ed. This  is  the  province  of  the  Christian.  The  humble 
follower  of  Jesus  alone  is  able  to  detect  error  and  arrest 
vice — he  it  is,  skilled  in  his  Master's  cause  and  learned 
in  the  school  of  Christ,  who  can  investigate  every  human 
purpose — trace,  in  morals,  effects  to  their  causes,  and  fore- 
see, from  every  cause,  its  consequent  eff"ect. 

Where  now  are  such  men  to  be  found — men  who  already 
anticipate  the  enemy  of  God,  and  the  recapturing  of  the 
world  1  Where,  did  I  say  ?  They  are  here  before  me ;  your 
cause  is  a  noble  one,  only  trace  the  footsteps  of  your  Lord 
— imitate  his  zeal  and  example.  Let  not  your  faith  fail 
you,  and  by  his  might  giving  strength  to  you  ere  long 
death  and  hell  will  lie  vanquished  at  your  feet. 
But   this  age  teems  with  diverse   sentiments,   and   its 


APPENDIX.  229 

genius  is  invention.  The  Bible  teaches  but  one  Lord, 
one  faith,  one  baptism.  But  thousands  who  profess  to  be 
holy  and  wise — teach  another  doctrine.  These,  untiring 
in  their  efforts,  and  intent  on  success,  like  Prometheus,  a 
heathen  deity,  have  stolen  from  heaven  sufficient  fire  to  add 
life  and  character  to  the  creeds  which  their  plastic  hands 
have  formed  from  the  crude  materials  of  their  vile  ima- 
ginings. These  must  be  encountered,  and  it  requires  cou- 
rage, not  that  which,  wrought  up  by  the  stimulations  of  ani- 
mal passion,  or  popular  applause,  can  rush  with  apparent 
audacity  now  and  then  upon  the  cannon's  mouth;  but  that 
which,  single-handed  and  alone,  can  easily  withstand  all 
the  fiery  darts  of  the  adversary — can  gaze  upon  impending 
and  expected  calamity,  yet  never  shrink  from  its  purpose. 
The  loftiest  mind,  guided  only  by  the  light  of  science  and 
nature,  is  totally  unable  to  grapple  with  these  foes — for  they 
have  often  involved  the  adroit  metaphysician  in  the  laby- 
rinths of  error  and  perplexity,  from  which  he  could  never 
escape.  He  alone  can  safely  meet  them  whose  weapons 
are  spiritual,  and  he  has  nothing  to  fear  from  their  power. 
Such  are  our  weapons ;  and  such  is  our  courage  while 
surveying  the  world's  wide  waste,  that  we  have  resolved, 
in  the  strength  of  the  Lord,  to  push  our  spiritual  conquests 
to  the  utmost  bounds  of  the  earth,  nor  have  we  resolved 
in  vain.  Though  our  opponents  collect  all  their  forces, 
and  summon  up  all  their  energy,  yet  grasping  the  very 
pillars  of  falsehood  and  vice,  with  the  strength  of  the  blind 
Samson,  and  a  zeal  well  worthy  of  our  cause,  we  can  easily 
demolish  the  whole  fabric,  and  whelm  it  in  one  common 
ruin. 

We  now,  at  one  glance,  comprehend  a  large  portion  of 
the  human  kind,  who  have  no  knowledge  of  the  Lord 
Jesus,  and  of  the  way  of  life :  our  eye  rests  on  Asia,  whose 
380,000,000  of  souls  seem  to  us,  like  the  vale  of  vision  filled 
with  dry  bones;  and  the  voice  breaks  upon  our  ears,  say- 
ing, Can  these  bones  livel  And  we  reply,  0  Lord,  thou 
knowest.  Our  hearts  sicken  at  the  sight  of  so  many  im- 
mortal souls  who  have  no  hope,  and  are  without  God;  in 
21 


230  APPENDIX. 

the  woild,  and  we  offer  up  this  fervent  prayer,  Come,  thou 
breath  of  the  Lord,  and  breathe  upon  these  slain,  that  they 
may  live.  We  look  elsewhere,  and  the  world  seems  covered 
with  men  dead  in  trespasses  and  in  sins.  But  the  word  of 
God  is  able  to  make  them  alive  and  bring  them  forth  to  a 
spiritual  resurrection.  This  teaches  the  way,  the  truth, 
and  the  life,  and  points  to  Jesus,  and  proves  that  whosoever 
believeth  in  him,  though  he  were  dead,  yet  shall  he  live. 
All  this  we  believe :  this  is  the  bread  of  life,  and  the  object 
of  this  society  is  to  give  it  to  the  world,  that  the  hungry, 
starving  soul  may  eat  and  live  for  ever. 

But  human  wisdom  has  laid  polluted  hands  on  the 
Bible  in  which  is  wrapped  up  the  last  hope  of  man, 
and  thousands  make  it  teach  what  it  never  did  teach, 
framing  from  its  pure  pages  a  thousand  spurious  creeds, 
and  all  claim  to  be  holy  and  divine.  How,  and  by  what 
means  can  these  evils  be  avoided,  the  truth  ascertained 
and  given  to  the  nations  pure  and  unmutilated  ?  The  power 
and  means  are  ours — we  have  the  means  to  meet  the  ade- 
quate expense — an  impartial  eye  to  trace  every  line  of  the 
inspired  page  in  the  bright  sunshine  of  heaven.  It  is  the 
impartial  disciple  who  sees  that  its  thoughts  are  God's 
thoughts — rays  darted  directly  from  light  insufferable.  This 
he  knows  to  be  a  book  written  by  infinite  wisdom — drawn 
from  the  library  of  heaven,  and  thrown  out,  like  the  flying 
roll  in  prophetic  vision,  to  supply  the  world  with  light  and 
knowledge. 

This,  brethren,  is  your  prerogative,  and  will  you  not 
improve  if?  The  faith  is  yours,  the  ability  and  works  are 
yours,  and  the  reward  will  inevitably  be  yours.  An  Alex- 
ander could  face  all  danger  to  gain  a  temporal  kingdom; 
but  you  have  no  dangers  to  face,  for  your  leader  is  invinci- 
ble, and  the  kingdom  and  the  greatness  of  the  kingdom  un- 
der the  whole  heaven  shall  be  given  to  the  people  of  the 
saints  of  the  most  high  God;  then  shall  they  receive  an 
everlasting  kingdom  which  cannot  be  moved. 

Genuine  faith  in  Christ — leads  to  unbending  decision, 
for  the  cause  is  well  understood  before  one  step  is  taken. 


APPENDIX.  231 

Such  faith,  like  Galileo  with  his  telescope,  views  distant 
worlds  as  they  are,  and  with  burning  sympathy  commise- 
rates their  woes,  yea,  like  the  glass  and  lever  of  Archi- 
medes, it  will  set  on  fire  the  entire  fleet,  and  upheave  the 
battlements  of  the  enemy  of  God.  Such  decision  and 
sympathy  moves  the  heart  to  wipe  away  the  tear  of 
orphan  wretchedness,  and  sooth  the  widow's  anguish,  to 
enter  the  abodes  of  incarcerated  criminals  and  soften  the 
stony  pillow  of  the  prisoner. 

It  was  such  faith,  decision,  and  zeal,  that  kindled  our 
present  missionary  spirit — a  spirit  which  we  hope  will 
continue  to  burn 

"Till  the  dwellers  in  the  vales  and  on  the  rocks 
Shout  to  each  other,  and  the  mountain  tops 
From  distant  mountains,  catch  the  flying  joy, 
And  nation  after  nation  taught  the  strain, 
Earth  will  roll  the  rapturous  hosanna  round." 

O  who  would  not  have  faith  and  benevolence;  who  will 
withhold  more  than  is  meet,  when  they  know  it  tendeth  to 
poverty"?  Will  not  Christians  of  this  peaceful  nineteenth 
century  have  strong  faith  in  God]  Ask  of  him,  and  he  will 
give  to  his  Son,  and  to  your  Lord,  the  heathen  for  his  inhe- 
ritance and  the  utmost  bounds  of  the  earth  for  his  posses- 
sion. The  influence  of  such  faith  the  proud  ocean  could  not 
retain,  for  it  impelled  Carey  to  self-denying  labours,  and 
brought  him  to  a  glorious  death  among  eastern  idolaters. 
It  encouraged  Bunyan  to  meet  his  adversaries  calmly  and 
defy  their  power.  To  Luther  it  gave  a  panoply  in  which 
he  boldly  met  the  forces  of  earth  and  hell  in  arms.  It  was 
this  that  enabled  him  to  take  the  writings  of  the  mother 
of  harlots,  to  cast  them  into  the  fire,  and  exclaim,  "Be- 
cause ye  have  troubled  the  saints  of  the  Lord,  therefore 
let  eternal  fire  trouble  you."  It  was  faith  only  that  im- 
parted to  him  thunder  which  shook  kings  upon  their  thrones, 
and  nerved  his  arm  to  seize  and  overwhelm  the  strong  pil- 
lars of  popery.  He  read  prayerfully,  and  digested  the 
truths  of  his  Bible — and  drank  at  the  fountain  of  life  in  the 
dreary  cells  of  his  monastery — and  this  alone  prepared  him 


233  APPENDIX. 

for  those  unearthly  deeds  which  broke  the  repose  of  a 
slumbering  world.  Yet  he  failed  to  teach  the  whole  truth. 
But  this  privilege,  with  the  power,  is  put  into  our  haridsj 
and  it  requires  only  the  faith  of  Abraham,  Noah,  Enoch, 
and  Elijah  to  lift  up  the  lamp  of  life  and  cause  its  mist-dis- 
pelling rays  to  shine  on  every  land. 

Brethren,  we  are  all  sentinels  of  Zion  and  stewards  of 
God's  house.  We  are  set  to  watch  for  souls  as  those  who 
must  give  account — and  the  money  we  have  is  not  our  own, 
it  belongs  to  our  Lord.  How  much  of  it  are  we  willing  to 
give  back  to  him?  Let  us  beware  lest  we  be  found  senti- 
nels false  to  our  trust — and  standing  finally  at  the  foot  of 
the  throne,  perjured  stewards  having  the  blood  of  immor- 
tal souls  on  our  head  and  on  our  hand.  Deliver  us,  O 
Lord,  from  blood-guiltiness,  and  enable  us  in  the  judgment 
to  feel  that  we  have  given  up  all  for  thy  sake,  and  then 
be  able  to  call  the  world  to  witness  that  we  are  pure  from 
the  blood  of  all  men.  With  your  alms  withhold  not  your 
prayers,  but  offer  them  in  faith;  and  they  will  ascend  into 
the  ear  of  benignant  Heaven,  like  the  exhalations  of  earth 
and  ocean,  to  return  again  in  fertilizing  drops  of  mercy 
upon  the  soul  and  society  of  man.  Though  you  go  forth 
weeping,  bearing  precious  seed,  doubtless  you  will  return 
from  the  harvest  bringing  your  sheaves  with  you,  and 
rejoicing. 

But  the  hour  is  passing,  and  we  have  only  to  say  that  the 
rewards  of  faith  are  more  fully  realized  in  the  world  to 
come.  Here,  for  self-denial  and  sacrifice,  we  have  a 
hundred  fold ;  but  in  the  world  to  come  life  everlasting. 

Let  the  impenitent  sinner  come  with  us  to  the  bed  of  the 
dying  saint  who  has  spent  a  life  of  toil  in  the  service  of 
God.  He  not  only  dies  calmly  and  resigned,  but  goes  up 
to  glory  with  souls  who  were  redeemed  through  his  instru- 
mentality, and  says,  Here,  Lord,  am  I,  and  those  thou  hast 
given  me.  0  sinner,  do  you  not  envy  the  dying  saint  his 
joy?     He  feels  earth  recede  and  heaven  draw  nigh; 


APPENDIX.  233 

"  IJis  soul  burets  forth  in  unknown  strains. 
And  sings  surprising  grace. 
Had  I  tlie  pinions  of  a  dove, 
I'd  mount  yon  lieavenly  road, 
There  sits  my  Saviour,  dressed  in  love, 
And  there  my  smiling  God. 
Faith  climbs  the  ladder  Jacob  saw. 
It  makes  the  darkest  cloud  withdraw." 

And  the  expiring  saint,  like  Payson,  who  represented 
God  to  have  once  been  in  his  eye  as  the  twinkling  of  a  dis- 
tant star,  but  now  as  coming  down  upon  him  like  a  broad 
sun,  flooding  the  entire  hemisphere  with  light  and  glory, 
feels  that  he  is  not  a  distant  pilgrim  from  the  land  of  pro- 
mise. Ere  life  is  extinct  he  seems  to  be  a  borderer  upon 
that  happy  land,  and  to  tread  the  outskirts  of  heaven.  He 
feels  its  genial  warmth  upon  his  soul — his  ear  drinks  in 
the  strain  of  its  music,  as  it  floats  across  the  distance 
— its  crowns  of  glory  catch  his  vision,  and  he  hastens 
to  meet  with  Him  in  whom  is  all  his  delight.  As  he  ap- 
proaches the  Jordan  of  death,  hitherto  broad  and  cold,  now 
it  dwindles  to  a  rill — he  leaps  it  with  a  single  bound — then 
arises  to  possess  a  mansion  on  high,  where  the  bright 
beams  of  the  sapphire  throne  pour  for  ever  on  his  head,  as 
he  sits  encompassed  with  heaven's  jasper  walls. 

Finally,  Oh !  that  the  saints  of  God  had  more  and 
stronger  faith !  for  by  and  by  Jehovah  will  not  shake  earth 
only,  but  heaven  also ;  and  where  then  shall  we  all  be 
found?  have  we  an  ark?  have  we  been  moved  by  holy  fear, 
prepared  for  the  saving  of  our  house — for  our  own  and  for 
the  immortal  souls  of  our  fellows  ?  and  when  God  shall 
arise  to  shake  terribly  the  earth,  will  our  faith  condemn 
the  ungodly,  and  make  us  heirs  of  an  inheritance  which  is 
incorruptible,  undefiled,  and  that  fadeth  not  away  1  O 
that  we  could  see  all  of  our  church  arise  in  that  mightiness 
which  God  has  promised  to  give  them ;  then  would  they 
appear  beautiful  as  Tirzah,  comely  as  Jerusalem,  and 
terrible  as  an  army  with  banners.  We  can  boast  of  the 
simple  truth,  and  we  have  only  to  use  faithfully  the 
means  we  have,  and,  through  the  instrumentality  of  our 
22 


234  APPENDIX. 

hitherto  despised  denoming,tion,  the  world  will  be  recap- 
tured to  her  rightful  Lord.  Think  of  the  destruction  of  the 
old  world,  and  then  look  forward  to  God's  coming  wrath, 
and  how  much  more  terrible  is  the  future  judgment  upon 
the  ungodly ! 

Oh!  that  the  impenitent  part  of  this  audience  might 
hear,  and  live.  I  know  of  a  coming  tempest,  in  which 
the  earth  will  not  only  shake,  and  the  sea  and  waves  roar, 
but  the  heavens  will  drop  their  stars  as  trees  their 
untimely  figs,  and  the  ocean  upon  which  the  whole 
family  of  man  is  borne  will  be  stirred  and  driven  into 
raging  foam,  and  all  who  have  not  built  an  ark  by 
faith — all  who  have  not  made  Christ  their  anchorage 
— though  their  vessels  be  laden  with  reason,  and  high 
intelligence,  and  noble  faculty,  they  will  be  drifted  to  and 
fro,  shattered,  and  dismantled,  and,  at  last,  thrown  on  the 
shore,  fit  for  the  burning.  But  there  are  ships  which  shall 
not  founder  in  this  battle  and  dissolution  of  elements. 
There  are  ships  which  shall  not  be  consumed  when  the  sea 
of  fire  shall  inundate  the  world.  They  shall  be  found  upon 
crystal  and  tranquil  waters,  bearing  the  colours  of  victory 
and  of  peace.  Come,  now!  all  ye  that  would  board  them  ! 
— the  price  is  within  your  reach! — grasp  the  standard! — 
unfurl  the  banner ! — let  it  vij^rate  upon  the  breeze  !  Then 
you  can  proclaim  victory,  and  say,  "I  know  that  my 
Redeemer  liveth." 


THE  END. 


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steel,  by  jJnniii,  from  new  designs,  and  are  among  the  finest 
specimens  of  tlie  art.  The  Engravings,  also  on  steel,  (Frontis- 
pieces and  Vignette  Titles,)  have  been  done  by  the  first  artists, 
at  an  expense  of  fr»m  $200  to  $300  each.  The  outlines  are 
from  paintings  by  the  old  masters;  the  ivood-cuts  are  all  illustra- 
tive of  the  manners  and  customs,  natural  history,  botany,  &c., 
of  the  Bible,  and  caimot  but  be  useful  and  acceptable,  and  are 
a  novelty  in  such  a  work.  On  the  whole,  it  is  believed  all 
will  admit,  that  it  is  what  it  has  been  pronounced  to  be — a  credit 
to  the  country,  "  and  a  indy  national  work.''''  It  is  admirably 
fitted  for  the  use  oi  families;  and  meets  the  wants  o^  every  one 
who  desires  to  study  the  Scriptures  understandingly,  while  to  the 
Sabbath  School  Teacher  it  is  almost  indispensable,  and  to  the 
Minister  of  the  Gospel,  a  treasure.  To  the  latter,  the  publishers 
especially  look  for  countenance  and  aid  in  their  undertaking. 

The  work  is  designed  to  accomplish  the  following  pur- 
poses: 1st.  To  combine,  as  far  as  possible,  in  one  work  of 
reasonable  and  convenient  compass,  at  a  price  to  bring  it  within 
the  reach  of  all,  the  peculiar  excellencies  and  advantages  of 
Henry'' s,  ScotVs,  and  Doddridge'' s  Commentaries,  (confessedly 
the  most  popular  and  useful  in  the  language,)  together  with  a 
large  quantity  of  other  matter,  explanatory  and  illustrative  of 
the  Scriptures,  from  other  sources.  2d.  To  present  the  whole, 
thus  collected  and  combined,  in  a  form  at  once  attractive  and 
convenient  hr family  use  and  private  reading,  with  special 
reference  to  the  wants  of  Sabbath  Schools  and  Bible  Classes. 
3d.  In  the  selections,  the  aim  has  been,  throughout,  on  the  one 
hand,  to  b»  as  fulb  as  possible,  drawing  largely  from   the  rich 


(     3     ) 

sources  opened  by  a  range  of  as  many  as  a  hundred  authors; 
and,  on  the  other  hand,  to  guard  against  tedionsness  and  repul- 
siveness,by  too  great  niinutcijess.  The  design  has  been  to  draw 
out  the  best  parts  of  the  best  toriters,  with  a  strict  watchful- 
ness that  every  part  should  be  evangelical,  plain,  familiar, 
and  applicatory,  and  adapted  to  the  exigencies  of  our  country 
and  the  times,  and  suited  to  the  wants  of  the  great  body  of  the 
people.  To  this  end,  all  words  in  foreign  languages  are  omitted 
in  the  critical  notes  and  quotations. 

Each  of  the  leading  Coiumentaries  forming  the  main  body 
of  this  work  has  its  peculiar  advantages,  and  its  friends  and 
admirers;  and  each  lias  its  defects.     It  is  hoped  that  here,  the 
advantages  of  all  will  be  found  combined  without  their  defects, 
so  that  the  admirers  of  each  may  here  meet  on  common  ground. 
To  accomplish  this  object,  great  care  has  been  taken.  The  Text, 
according  to  the  authorized  version  in  common  use,  is  arranged 
in  a  column  by  itself,  to  admit  of  its  being  read  independently 
of  all  remarks ;    to  this  are  added  the  popular  and  full  Mar- 
ginal References  of  Scott,  entire;  Henry'' s  Exposition  or  Com- 
mentary  will  be    found  slightly  abridged,  or,  more  properly, 
perhaps,   condensed;    but  every  useful  and  important  thought 
is  retained,  and  in  his  own  language,  and  this  is  also  placed  by 
itself  in  columns  parallel  with  and  by  the  side  of  the  text,  so 
as  to  be  read  independendy  of  all  the  rest.     At  the  end  of  every 
suitable  division  of  the  text,  are  placed  the  Practical  Observa- 
tions of  Scott,  arranged  separately  as  in  his  own  work;  and  at 
the  bottom  of  the  page  is  a  large  body  of  explanatory,  illustrative, 
and  Critical  Notes,  containing  whatever  in  addition  is  valuable 
in  Scott  and   Doddridge,  with   copious  selections  from  Adam 
Clarke,  Gill,  Burder.    Calmet,  Roscnmueller,  Bloomfield    and 
many  other  authors.  Wherever  it  is  practicable,  wood  engravings, 
illustrative  of  the  subjects,  are  introduced.      Thus  an  atnalga- 
ination  of  the  different  authors  is ,car(fuUy  guarded  against 
and  each  reader  may  often  consult  his  own  favourite.      In 
the  notes,    also,   the    manners    and    customs,   natural   history, 
geography,  botany,  &;c.,  of  the  Bible,  are  fully  illustrated. 

It  is  therefore  believed  that  this  work  offers  to  the  reader 
more  advantages  than  the  possession  of  the  works  of  Henry, 
Scott,  and  Doddridge  themselves  would,  even  could  they  altoge- 
ther be  procured  at  the  same  expense;  as  he  is  saved  the  trou- 
ble of  turning  over  and  searching  for  a  passage  in  three  different 
works,  and  finding  much  of  the  same  matter  in  all,  bes"ides  having 
the  additional  views  of  many  other  esteemed  writers. 


(     4     ) 

In  the  abridfjment  of  Henry,  great  carcfulncps  has  been  used, 
so  that  his  most  jealous  friends  should  not  be  olfcnded  by  any 
liberties  taken;  and  it  is  confidently  believed  it  will  ])c  found 
much  more  pleasant  reading-  in  this  form  than  in  the  original. 

On  the  doctrines,  it  may  confidendy  be  asserted  that  Henry, 
Scott,  and  Doddridge  speak  their  own  opinions  unadulterated 
and  entire.  Where  any  thing  has  been  omitted  from  Scott,  it 
was  because  it  was  anticipated  in  the  remarks  of  Henry. 

In  the  mechanical  department,  the  publishers  have  exerted 
themselves  to  the  utmost  to  present  the  work  in  a  handsome 
and  durable  form,  and  have  spared  no  pains  nor  expense  to  pro- 
cure materials,  having  imported  every  work  which  they  could 
learn  would  be  of  essential  service  to  the  Editor.  In  preparing 
the  work,  also,  the  Editor  has  had  access  to  two  or  three  of 
the  inost  valuable  Libraries  in  America. 

To  render  the  Comprehensive  Commentary  the  most  com- 
plete work  of  the  kind  in  the  English  language,  and  as  perfect 
a  help  to  the  study  of  the  Bible  as  possible,  the  publishers 
have  issued  a  sixth  or  supplementary  volume,  uniform  in  size, 
paper,  binding,  and  price,  with  the  regular  volumes,  and  super- 
intended by  the  same  editor.  Its  principal  contents  are  as 
follow : 

I.  A  VERY  FULL  AND  COMPLETE    ALPHABETICAL    InDEX  of  all 

the  matters  discussed  in  the  Commentary.  The  importance 
of  this  must  be  obvious.  It  will  enable  any  one  to  turn,  readily 
and  without  delay,  to  every  passage  in  the  Bible  and  Commen- 
tary, where  any  given  fact,  opinion,  or  sentiment  is  touched  upon ; 
thus  bringing  together,  for  comparison,  on  each  topic,  all  tlie 
different  remarks  scattered  through  more  than  4000  pages ; 
saving  much  time,  which  must,  for  want  of  such  a  help,  be  con- 
sumed in  tedious  researches,  oftentimes  in  a  great  degree  fruidess. 
In  this  respect,  there  is  a  great  deficiency  in  the  works  of  Henky, 
Scott,  Clarke,  and  others,  which  any  person  who  has  had 
occasion  to  consult  them  extensively,  must  have  frequently 
felt.  Jn  such  extended  works,  an  index  of  this  kind  is  invalu- 
able, not  only  to  the  Minister  and  Sabbath  School  Teacher,  but 
to  every  student  of  the  Bible.  How  often,  indeed,  does  it 
happen,  that  one  wishes  to  consult  the  Commentary  on  some 
subject,  and  to  examine  it  fully  and  in  detail,  when  the  remarks 
upon  it  may  be  scattered  through  all  the  volumes,  and  based, 
perhaps,  upon  twenty  diflerent  passages  of  Scripture,  to  find 
which  would  require  much  time   and  careful  attention?     Such 


(     5     ) 

an  Index  would  at  once  place  tlicm  all  as  it  were  under  the 
eye. 

II.  A  New,  Full,  and  Comi'lete  Concordance?  illustrated 
with  monumental,  traditional,  and  oriental  engravings,  founded 
on  Butter  worth'' s,  icith  Criulen''s  Definitions;  forming,  it  is  . 
believed,  on  many  accounts,  a  more  valuable  work  than  either 
Butterworth,  Cruden,  or  any  other  similar  book  in  the  language. 
The  value  of  a  Concordance  is  now  generally  understood,  and 
those  who  have  used  one  consider  it  indispensable  in  connexion 
with  the  Bible. 

III.  A  Guide  to  the  Reading  and  Study  of  the  Bible; 
being  Carpenter's  valuable  Biblical  Companion,  lately  publislied 
in  London,  containing  a  complete  History  of  the  Bible,  and 
forming  a  most  excellent  introduction  to  its  study.  It  embraces 
the  Evidences  of  Christianity,  Jewish  antiquities,  manners, 
customs,  arts,  Natural  History,  &c  ,  of  the  Bible,  with  Notes 
and  Engravings  added. 

IV.  Complete  Biographies  of  Henry,  by  Williams  ;  Scott, 
BY  HIS  Son;  Doddridge, by  Orton;  with  sketches  of  the  lives 
and  characters,  and  notices  of  the  works  of  the  writers  on  the 
Scriptures,  Avho  are  quoted  in  the  Commentary,  living  and 
dead,  American  and  foreign.  This  part  of  the  volume  not 
only  affords  a  large  quantity  of  interesting  and  useful  reading  for 
pious  families,  but  will  also  be  a  source  of  gratification  to  all 
those  who  are  in  tlie  habit  of  consulting  the  Commentary, — 
every  one  naturally  feeling  a  desire  to  know  some  particulars  of 
the  lives  and  characters  of  those  whose  opinions  he  seeks. 
Appended  to  this  part  will  be  a  Bibliotheca  Biblica,  or  list  of 
the  best  works  on  the  Bible,  of  all  kinds,  arranged^under  their 
appropriate  heads. 

V.  A  Complete  Index  of  the  matter  contained  in  the  Bible 
Text. 

VI.  A  Symbol  Dictionary.  A  very  comprehensive  and  valu- 
able Dictionary  of  Scripture  Symbols,  (occupying  about_/?/y?/-sia? 
closely  printed  pages,)  by  Thomas  Wemyss,  (autlior  of  "  Biblical 
Gleanings,"  &c.)  Comprising  Daubuz,  liancaster,  Hutche- 
son,  &c. 

VII.  The  work  contains  several  other  Articles,  Indexes, 
Tables,  &c.,  &c.,  and  is, 

VIH.  Illustrated  by  a  large  Plan  of  .Terusalem,  identi- 
fying, as  far  as  tradition,  &c.,  go,  the  original  sites,  drawn  on 
the   spot,   by   F.    Catherwood,   of  London,   architect.     Also, 

1* 


(     6     ) 

two  steel  engravings  of  Portraits  of  seven  foreign  and  eight 
American  Theological  writers,  and  numerous  wood  engravings. 
The  whole  forms  a  desirable  and  necessary  accompaniment 
to  the  original  work,  and  affords  a  great  fund  of  instruction  for 
the  use  not  only  of  Clergymen  and  Sabbath  School  Teachers, 
but  also  for  families.  When  the  great  amount  of  matter  it  must 
contain  is  considered,  it  will  be  deemed  exceedingly  clieap, 
and  COULD  not  be  afforded,  at  the  price  proposed,  ex- 
cept IN  CONNEXION  WITH  THE  COMMENTARY,  the  Value  of  whicll 

it  greatly  enhances. 

iCT^The  work  is  bound  and  lettered  exactly  to  match  the 
Commentary,  forming  a  sixth  volume.  Some  copies  are  also 
bound  without  the  index  to  the  Commentary,  and  published 
under  the  title  of  "A  COMPANION  TO  THE  BIBLE," 
designed  to  accompany  the  Family  Bible,  or  Henry's,  Scott's, 
Clarke's,  Gill's,  or  other  Commentaries. 


(     7     ) 
NOTICES  AND  KECOMMENDATIONS 

OF  THE 

COMPREHENSIVE  COMMENTARY. 


The  Publishers  select  the  following,  from  the  testimonials  they  have 
received  as  to  the  value  of  the  work: — 
We  the  Subscribers  having  examined  the  volume  of  the  Comprehensive 
Covimentary ,  jast  issued  from  the  press  of  Messrs.  Fessenden  &  Co.,  and 
highly  approving  its  character,  would  cheerfully  and  confidently  re- 
commend it  as  containing  more  matter  and  more  advantages  than  any 
other  with  which  we  are  acquainted;  and,  considering  the  expense  in- 
curred, and  the  excellent  manner  of  its  mechanical  execution,  we  believe 
it  to  be  one  of  the  cheapest  works  ever  issued  from  the  press.  We  hope 
the  publishers  will  be  sustained  by  a  liberal  patronage,  in  their  expensive 
and  useful  undertaking.  We  should  be  pleased  to  learn  that  every  fa- 
mily in  the  United  States  had  procured  a  copy. 

B.  B.  WISNER,  D.  D.  Secretary  of  Jim.  Board  of  Com.  for  For.  Missions. 
WM.  COGSWELL,  D.D.    "  "      Education  Society. 

JOHN  CODMAN,  D.  D.  Pastor  of  Congregational  Church,  Dorchester. 
WARREN  FAY,  D.  D.        "  "  »      Charlestmcn. 

Rev.  G.  W.  BLAGDEN,      "  "  "    Salem-sl.  Bos. 

Rev.  HUBBARD  WINSLOW,  '<  "    Bowdoin-st. '<■ 

Rev.  SEWALL  HARDING,  Pastor  of  T.  C.  Church,  Waltham. 
Rev.  J.  H.  FAIRCHILD,  Pastor  of  the  Cong.  Church,  South-Boston. 
GARDINER  SPRING,  D.  D.  Pastor  of  Presb.  Chh.  Mew  York  city, 
CYRUS  MASON,  D.  D.  "  «'        «  " 

THOS.  McAULEY,  D.  D.  "  "        '<         "  «' 

JOHN  WOODBRIDGE,  D.  D.  "  '«        "  "  '« 

THOS.  DE  WITT,  D   D.  "     Dutch  Ref     "  "  » 

E.  W.  BALDWIN,  D.  D.  «  "        "  "  " 

Rev.7.M.  McKREBS,  "  Presh.    "  "  <« 

Rev.  ERSKINE  MASON,  "  "        "  "  " 

Rev.  J.  S.SPENCER,  "  "         "     Brooklyn. 

EZRA  STILES  ELY,  D.  D.  Slated  Clerk  of  Gen.  Assem.  of  Presh.  Chh. 

JOHN  MDOWELL,  D.D.  Po-wanenf"  "         "  " 

JOHN  BRECKENRIDGE,  Cor.  Sec'y  of  Assembly's  Board  of  Education. 

SAMUEL  B.  WYLIE,  D.  D.  Pastor  of  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Chh. 

N.  LORD,  D.  D.  President  of  Dartmouth  College. 

JOSHUA  BATES,  D.  D.  "         Midrlkbury    " 

H.  HUMPHREY,  D.  D.  «        Jimhcrst         " 

E.  D.  G  RI FFI N ,  D .  D .      "         Williamstown  « 

J.  WHEELER,  D.  D.     "         University  of  Vermont,  at  Burlinaton. 

J. M.MATTHEWS, D.D."        Keto  York  city  University. 

GEO.  E.  PIERCE,  D.  D."         Western  Reserve  College,  Ohio. 

Rev.  DR.  BROWN,         "         Jefferson  College,  Penn.       * 

LEONARD  WOODS,  D,  D.  Prof  of  Theolooy,  Andover  S 

THOS.  H.  SKINNER,  D.  D.    «  Sac.  Rhet. 

Rev.  RALPH  EMERSON,        "  Eccl.  Hist.        " 


(     8     ) 

Rev.  JOEL  PARKER,  Pastor  of  Prcsb.  Church,  jYeic  Orleans. 

JOELHAVVES,  D.  D.      "  CoJig.      "  Hartford,  Conn. 

N.  S.  S.  BEAMAN,  D.  D.  "  Presb.      "  Troij,  A.  Y. 

MARK  TUCKER,  D.  D."  "  "  " 

Rev.  E.  N.  KIRK,  "  "  "      Jllbajiy,    " 

Rev.  B.  B.  EDWARDS,  Ed.  of  Quarterly  Observer. 

Rev.  STEPHEN  MASON,  Pastor  ist  Conor.  Church,  Nantucket. 

Rev.  ORIN  FOWLER,  "        "         ""  "       Fall  River. 

WILLIAM  M.  ENGLES.  Editor  of  the  Presbyterian. 

GEORGE  W.  BETHUNE,D.D.  Pastor  of  the  First  Reformed  Dutch  Ch. 


The  following  are  Extracts  from  Letters  to  the  Publishers,  and  Notices 
in  Periodicals. 

Dr.  Hu:MPHnEY,  President  of  .Amherst  College.  '  Tlie  execution  of 
the  plan  thus  far  exceeds  my  high  expectations:  I  have  Henry,  Dod- 
dridge, and  Scott,  and  admire  them  all;  but  to  say  that  your  great  work 
promises,  when  completed,  to  be  more  valuable  than  either,  would  be 
little  more  than  saying  that  the  best  things  in  the  three  combined  must 
be  better  than  any  one  of  them  alone.' 

Dr.  hoRD,  President  of  Dartmouth  College.  'I  have  made  conside- 
rable examination  of  the  Comprehensive  Commentary,  and  am  satisfied 
of  its  superiority  over  all  others  which  I  have  seen  for  the  purposes 
intended.' 

Dr.  Griffin,  President  of  Williams  College.  'The  Comprehensive 
Commentary  appears  to  be  on  a  plan  belter  than  any  other  which  I  have 
seen,  and,  judging  from  a  short  examination,  and  from  the  strong  testi- 
mony of  the  ministers  of  Boston  and  vicinity,  1  have  no  doubt  the  exe- 
cution is  as  good  as  the  design.' 

Dr  Hawes,  Hartford.  'The  plan  and  execution,  so  far  as  I  have 
been  able  to  examine,  I  higiily  approve.  *  *  *  I  sincerely  hope  tiiat  the 
work  may  have  a  wide  circulation,  and  any  thing  1  can  do  to  aid  it, 
shall  be  done  cheerfully.' 

Dr.  Wisner,  Secretary  of  American  Board  of  Foreign  Missions.  'I 
am  exceedingly  pleased  with  the  volume  published  of  the  Comprehen- 
sive Commentary.  1  have  all  along  had  strong  confidence  that  it  would 
be  well  done,  but  my  expectations  are  more  than  realized,' 

On.  Matthews,  Chancellor  of  New  York  city  University.  '  I  had  ex- 
pected that  the  Comprehensive  Commentary  would  be  a  valuable  work; 
but,  judging  from  the  volume  on  the  Gospels,  it  exceeds  my  expectations. 
It  o-ives  us  Henry  nearly  at  large;  and  superadds  a  synopsis  of  what  is 
imt'orlant  in  many  of  the  other  most  enlightened  commentaries  on  I  he 
Bible.  I  have  no  hesitation  in  saying,  that  I  shall  esteem  it  the  most 
valuable  Commentary  in  our  language,  should  it  be  finished  as  it  has 
been  commenced.' 

New  York,  Aug.  29,  18.34.  J.  M.  MATTHEWS. 

Dr.  Bates,  President  nf  Middlebvry  College.  'I  am  free  to  express 
my  entire  approbation  of  the  work,  both  in  respect  to  the  editorial  la- 
bours, and  the  mechanical  execution.  Notwithstanding  my  previous 
high  opinion  of  the  Editor,  the  present  specimen  of  the  work  altogether 


(     9     ) 

exceeds  my  high  expectations.  Most  sincerely  do  I  Iiope  that  it  will 
ol)tain  an  extensive  (and  I  might  say  universal)  circulation  tlirongh  our 
country  and  in  England.  Besides  the  other  qualities  which  recouimend 
it,  it  possesses  one  of  great  importance  to  English  Literature,  viz.  that 
of  possessing  the  same  Saxon  purity,  both  as  to  the  choice  of  words,  and 
to  idiomatic  arrangement  in  the  Commentary  (Henry)  as  characterizes 
the  Text  of  the  Bible,  whicli  Fisher  Ames  used  to  say  had  dune  more  to 
guard  against  the  corrupting  influence  of  foreign  words  and  idioms,  and 
thus  to  preserve  the  purity  and  simplicity  of  the  English  language,  than 
all  other  causes  combined.' 

From  Rev.  Lyman  Beechek,  D.  D.  Pres.  of  Lane  Theol.  Seminary,  Ohio' 

Of  evangelical  expositors  of  the  Bible,  Henry  and  Scott  are  among 
the  best  for  family  use.  The  Comprehensive  Commentary  is  intended 
to  include,  in  a  condensed  form,  the  excellencies  of  both,  with  copious 
explanatory  notes  t>om  all  the  best  critics  and  commentators.  From 
what  I  know  personally  of  the  publishers  and  the  editor  of  the  work, 
and  from  what  I  know  of  its  execution,  I  am  persuaded  it  will  meet  the 
expectation  of  subscribers,  and  be  cheaper  and  better  for  Family  use 
than  any  other;  and  that  it  will  be  a  treasure  to  any  family  who  shall 
obtain  it:  and  I  cordially  recommend  it  for  universal  i'amily  use.' 

LYMAN  BEECHER. 

Dr.  Woods,  Professor  of  Theology  in  Andover  Seminary.  '  I  hope  it 
■will  be  extensively  circulated,  and  doubt  not  that  it  will  be  very  useful 
in  Bible  classes,  as  well  as  in  the  study  of  Ministers,  and  the  closets  of 
private  Christians.' 

Rev.  Asa  Cukmings,  Editor  of  Christian  Mirror,  and  author  of  Memoir 
of  Puyson.  'It  is  with  no  ordinary  degree  of  pleasure  that  I  can  express 
myself  satisfied  with  the  Comprehensive  Commentary — it  is  far  superior 
lo  what  1  have  dared  to  expect.' 

From  the  Professors  at  Princeton  Theol.  Seminary. 

'The  Comprehensive  Commentary  contains  the  whole  of  Henry's 
Exposition  in  a  condensed  form,  Scott's  Practical  Observations  and 
Marginal  References,  and  a  large  numbei;  of  very  valuable  philological 
and  critical  notes,  selected  from  various  authors. — The  work,  as  far  as  it 
has  proceeded,  appears  to  be  executed  with  judgment,  fidelity,  and  care; 
and  will  furnish  a  rich  treasure  of  scriptural  knowledge  to  the  Biblical 
student,  and  to  the  teachers  of  Sabbath  Schools  and  Bible  classes.' 

A.  ALEXANDER.  D.  D. 

SAMUEL  MLLER,  D.  D. 

CHARLES  HODGE,  D.  D. 

From  the  Professors  at  Bangor  Tlieological  Seminary,  S^c. 

'This  certifies  that  we  have  examined  to  some  extent  the  volume  of 
the  Comprehensive  Commentary,  recently  issued  from  the  press;  and 
although  from  our  knowledge  of  the  design  and  plan  of  the  publication, 
and  of  the  qualifications  and  character  of  ilie  gentlemen  concerned  in  it, 
we  had  no  doubt  as  to  its  general  interest  and  importance,  we  must  say 
that  our  expectations  are  more  than  realized.  Tlie  worlc  is  altogether 
one  of  great  value,  and  merits  the  attention  and  patronage,  not  only  of 


(  10  ) 

private  Christians,  and  those  concerned  in  Sabbath  Sciiools,  b\)t  of  the 
public  teachers  of  rclifjion  also.' 

ENOCH   I'OND,  Prof,  of  Theology,  Tlieol.  Seminary^  Llungor. 
AI.VAN  BOND,     "         Dihlkal  Lit.     " 
L.  S.  I'O.MIIOY.  Pudor  of  1st  Cumrreiratlonul  Church,    " 
JOHN  MALTBY,  "         Ilammond-k.  " 

American  Quarterly  Observkii.  'We  have  looked  over  the  first 
volume  ol'this  long  expected  work,  with  great  satisfaction.  *  *  *  Henry 
is  permitted  to  speak  his  own  sentiments  in  liis  own  quaint  and  admi- 
rable manner.  The  notes  are  selected  with  taste  and  judgment.  *  *  * 
We  are  well  satisfied  that  it  has  been  done  judiciously  and  faithfully.' 

Boston  Recorder.  '  We  are  glad  to  learn  that  the  publishers  have 
received  many  names  as  patrons  of  the  work  from  various  portions  of 
the  United  Slates;  we  think  now  that  they  can  present  a  volume  libe- 
rally "got  up"  as  this  is  in  respect  to  engravings,  paper,  [jririling  and 
binding,  and  combining  so  many  advantages,  their  list  will  receive  daily 
additions,  and  the  cheapness  of  the  work  is  such  that  they  can  only  bo 
remunerated  from  extended  sales.' 

New  Hampsimke  Observer.  'The  e.xcellence  of  the  design  is  too 
obvious  to  be  mentioned.  To  bring  together  in  one  work  what  is  most 
valuable  in  all  our  commentaries,  for  about  the  price  of  one  of  them,  is 
certainly  doing  the  public  a  great  service.  Such  a  work,  tolerably  exe- 
cuted, must,  we  think^  lake  the  place  of  all  other  Commentaries  for  ge- 
neral reading.' 

New  York  Observer.  Whoever  desires  to  obtain  the  exposition  of 
Matthew  Henry,  along  with  the  better  part  of  Scott  and  Doddridge,  and 
the  most  valuable  criticisms  on  the  English  text,  of  Adam  Clarke,  Gill, 
Burder  and  others,  will  do  well  to  subscribe  for  the  Comprehensive 
Commentary.  The  character  of  the  editor  is  a  sufficient  guarantee  for 
the  remaining  volumes,  that  neither  learning,  integrity  nor  industry, 
will  be  wanting  to  render  them  worthy  of  the  most  extensive  patronage. 

New  York  Evangelist.  'The  Editor  is  well  known  as  a  gentleman 
of  extensive  learning  and  deep  research,  and  in  this  work  he  has  dis- 
played a  good  judgment  in  the  selection  of  notes.  It  is  handsomely 
printed,  well  bound,  and  on  good  paper.  We  hope  the  publishers  will 
take  special  pains  to  gain  the  assistance  of  American  ministers.  The 
note  from  Dr.  Wisner,  on  Luke  xxiv.  30 — 48,  is  a  sample  of  what  might 
be  done  by  American  writers  in  making  portions  of  Scripture  tell  upon 
the  Christian  action  of  the  church.  The  work  has  been  unusually  fortu- 
nate in  obtaining  the  commendation  of  ministers.' 

Conn.  Observer.  Corttprehensive  Commentary.  'The  publishers  of 
the  Comprehensive  Commentary,  seem  determined  to  make  it  as  near 
perfect  as  it  can  be  made  by  care,  and  labour  and  expense.  It  bears 
examination  well,  and  the  attentive  reader  after  a  thorough  perusal  will 
doubtless  assent  to  the  correctness' of  the  remark,  that  aside  from  all  its 
other  excellencies  it  jtrcsents  the  commentaries  on  which  it  is  based  in  a 
better  shape  than  the  originals.' 

Vermont  Chronicle.  'We  have  examined  parts  of  it  with  a  good 
deal  of  care;  and  can  assure  subscribers  and  others,  that  the  work  is  in 
all  respects  faithfully  done.  Having  taken  pains  to  compare  the  abridg- 
ments of  Henry,  and  the  extracts  from  Scott  with  the  originals,  to  con- 


(  11  ) 

siderable  extent,  and  looked  critically  at  the  notes  from  other  sources, 
we  have  no  hesitation  in  saying  that,  in  our  opinion^  it  is  very  decidedly 
superior,  in  many  important  respects,  to  any  Commentary  ever  pub- 
lished in  this  country.  The  admirers  of  Henry  have  the  substance  of 
his  Commentary  faithfully  before  them,  in  his  own  language,  and  fitted 
to  be  more  generally  useful  by  the  removal  of  repetitions  and  other  re- 
dundancies, and  the  omission  of  words  and  phrases  that  are  ill-judged 
and  in  bad  taste.  The  selections  from  Scott  and  Doddridge  have  been 
carefully  and  judiciously  made.  The  miscellaneous  notes  from  other 
sourcesare  the  result  of  extensive  reading,  and  furnish  a  great  mass  of 
illustrative  facts  and  hints  that  can  be  found  together  nowhere  else. 
Large  libraries,  accessible  only  to  the  few,  have  here  been  laid  under 
contribution  for  the  service  of  all.  The  whole  has  been  prepared  for 
popular  use,  and  is  conveniently  arranged.  As  to  its  orthodoxy,  and 
the  spirit  that  it  breathes,  we  need  only  say  that  Henry,  Scott,  and  Dod- 
dridge, are  permitted  to  speak  o,ut  their  views  and  feelings  fully,  and 
that  with  these,  the  other  materials  are  in  harmony.  The  price  is  very 
low — so  low  as  to  place  the  work  within  the  means  of  almost  every  one. 
Many  thousands  of  copies  of  Henry  and  Scott  have  been  sold  among  us 
at  a  higher  price.  Can  pastors  do  a  better  service  to  the  interests  of 
religion,  in  any  similar  way,  than  by  exerting  themselves  to  introduce 
this  work  among  the  people  of  their  charge?' 

From  the  Literary  and  Theological  Review,  New  York,  Edited  by  Rev. 
Leonard  IVoods,  Jr. 

'  While  the  standard  Commepfaries  in  our  language  certainly  have 
great  excellencies,  they  also  have  glaring  defects,  and  it  was  a  good 
thought  to  form  a  commentary  which  should  combine  the  excellencies 
and  exclude  the  defects  of  our  most  approved  interpreters  of  tlie  Bible. 
Such  is  the  object  of  the  Comprehensive  Commentary.  The  task  was 
certainly  a  difficult  one,  and  failure  would  not  have  been  strange.  But 
it  has  been  accomplished  thus  far,  under  the  auspices  of  the  learned  and 
able  editor,  in  such  a  way  as  to  realize  the  expectations  of  the  public. 
We  have  no  doubt  that  the  best  and  only  way  of  promoting  a  thorough 
knowledge  of  the  Scriptures,  is  for  writers  to  devote  themselves  to  the 
more  careful  study  of  particular  books.  The  whole  Bible  is  too  large  a 
field  to  be  successfully  cultivated  by  a  single  hand,  hence  we  think  the 
labours  of  Prof  Stuart,  Robinson,  Bush  and  others,  are  far  more  wisely 
directed  in  being  employed  on  particular  portions  of  the  Sacred  Word, 
than  in  being  extended  like  those  of  some  others  over  the  whole  Bible. 

This  opinion,  however,  does  not  diminish  our  approbation  of  the  at- 
tempt to  render  the  riches  of  scripture  knowledge  and  particular  in- 
struction already  existing  in  the  language,  more  available  by  the  great 
mass  of  the  community.  The  one  is  an  effort  to  elevate  the  standard 
of  Biblical  learning — the  other  to  disseminate  the  knowledge  already 
accumulated;  and  for  the  latter  object  no  work  on  the  Scriptures  which 
we  have  seen  is  better  calculated  than  the  Comprehensive  Commentary.' 

From  the  Portland,  (Me.)  CItristian  Mirror,  Edited  by  Rev.  Asa  Cummings, 

author  of  Life  of  Pay  son. 

'  When  the  first  volume  of  this  work  made  its  appearance,  we  spoke 

with  a  measure  of  caution,  as  to  its  merits.     From  the  time  of  issuing 

the  Prospectus,  we  have  heard  good  men  express  fears,  that  it  was  to 


(  1'^  ) 

favour  a  mitigated  theology,  and  \i»aken  the  liold  of  the  Churclies  upon 
"the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints."  We  of  course  felt  it  incum- 
bent on  us  to  wait  till  we  could  examine  it  vvitli  some  care  before  ex- 
pressintr  a  full  and  decided  judgment  of  its  merits.  We  have  accord- 
ingly made  it  a  part  of  the  business  of  every  week  to  consult  the  Com- 
prehensive Commentary,  and  the  examination  has  afforded  us  a  degree 
of  satisfaction  which  we  did  not  anticipate.  So  far  from  commending  it 
with  reluctance,  we  feel  that  we  should  do  wrong  to  withhold  an  ex- 
pression of  approbation. — This  we  give  in  the  language  of  the  Editors  of 
the  Protestant  Vindicator , — and  we  could  not  use  stronger.' 

New  York  Protest a'Kt  Vindicator.  'Having  devoted  nearly  a 
whole  day  to  a  close  scrutiny  of  its  contents,  we  are  able  to  express  a 
decisive  opinion  respecting  its  merits  and  its  claims  to  public  patronage. 
Of  the  quantity  of  matter  contained  in  this  volume  an  accurate  idea 
may  be  formed  from  one  remark.  The  Commentary  of  Henry,  and  the 
practical  observations  of  Scott,  are  published  nearly  entire.  The  addi- 
tional notes  are  selected  from  a  regiment  of  authors,  for  we  ascertained 
that  there  are  nearly  fifty  different  writers  quoted  in  i\ie  first  four  chap- 
ters only  of  the  gospel  hy  Matthew.  Tlie  decorations  are  fine  specimens 
of  the  artist's  skill  and  are  judiciously  selected.  Jis  ■printers,  we  pro- 
nounce, that  the  mechanical  execution  of  this  volume  cannot  be  sur- 
passed until  some  additional  discovery  in  the  typographical  art  gives 
more  accuracy  of  composition  and  lucidness  to  ink,  for  we  have  not 
encountered  one  literal  error  or  a  stray  "Monk  or  Friar,"  through  any 
of  the  '■•forms"  which  we  have  deliberately  perused.  These  topics, 
however,  although  they  comprise  economy,  taste  and  even  the  multi- 
plication of  books  at  a  price  so  low  that  there  is  not  a  Christian  parent 
in  this  republic  "  Glory  to  God  in  the  highest,"  wlio  cannot  procure 
Ihem;  yet  these  attractions  are  "  altogether  ligliter  than  vanity,"  when 
placed  in  competition  with  the  momentous  inquiry, — D(Tes  the  Compre- 
hensive Commentary  on  the  Holy  Bible  speak  "  as  the  truth  is  in  Jesus?" 
To  this  inetfably  important  inquiry,  we  give  a  deliberate  answer.  As 
we  have  already  stated,  we  have  extensively  searched  the  volume  which 
comprises  the  four  Gospels.  We  have  amply  scrutinized  its  pages  in 
reference  to  the  fundamental  doctrines  of  Christian  theology,  and  our 
examination  has  been  very  gratifying.  The  passages  which  we  most 
inquisitively  explored  included  the  topics  to  which  the  principal  modern 
controversies  advert,  and  especially  the  cardinal  points  "  of  the  faith 
which  was  once  delivered  to  the  saints."  We  have  not  stumbled  upon 
a  comment  that  in  our  opinion  is  contrary  to  "  that  which  is  noted  in 
the  Scriptures  of  truth." — We  therefore,  most  conscientiously  avow  our 
preference  of  the  "Comprehensive  Commentary  on  the  Holy  Bible," 
to  any  others,  or  rather  we  say  all  others. 

It  must  be  remembered  this  is  not  an  ephemeral  publication.  A  sum 
of  money  the  ordinary  interest  of  which  is  amply  sufficient  to  support 
any  temperate  family  in  comfort,  must  be  expended  and  laid  up  only  in 
the  Stereotype  plates,  which  are  requisite  to  complete  the  work.  We 
have  often  recommended  books  to  the  perusal  of  our  brethren  and  friends, 
but  never  have  we  performed  that  duty  with  such  deep  solicitude;  as 
we  now  advise  all  who  duly  value  the  "one  pearl  of  great  price,"  to 
buy  this  most  "goodly  pearl."' 

Salem,  (Mass.)  Landmark.    '  We  have  no  hesitation  of  giving  it  as 


13     ) 

our  opinion,  that  for  the  greater  portion  of  readers,  this  work  will  be 
more  valuable  than  the  separate  C'ommentaries  of  the  various  eminent 
men  who  have  just  been  named.  The  most  important  matter  that  these 
severally  contain  is  here  collected  together,  and  the  reader  can  be  fur- 
nished with  it  without  looking  througli  a  number  of  volumes. 

There  is  a  rich  variety  of  notes  supplying  abundant  information  re- 
specting the  geography,  and  the  manners  and  customs  of  the  country 
in  which  the  writers  of  the  Bible  lived.  *  *  *  The  Sabbath  School 
teacher  will  find  it  an  able  coadjutor  in  the  instruction  of  his  class.' 

Chhistian  Intelligencer.  {New  York  city.  From  the,  pen  of  the  Rev. 
W.  C.  Brownlee,  D.  D.)  '  The  able  Editor  is  the  Rev.  Dr.  Jenks,  of  Bos- 
ton ;  one  in  whom  the  evangelical  community  have  full  and  unshaken  con- 
fidence. We  call  the  attention  particularly  of  young  clergymen,  and  of 
all  lovers  of  sound  and  practical  truth,  to  this  great  work.  Were  I  again 
to  select  my  books  of  this  character,  and  were  1  to  have  my  choice  of 
this  work  on  the  one  hand,  and  of  Henry,  Scott,  and  Doddridge,!  would 
decidedly  choose  this  work.  Besides  the  choice  being  one  suggested 
by  economy,  which  is  always  something  to  young  clergymen,  I  should 
in  that  case  have  every  leading  sentiment  and  valuable  idea  of.  these 
favourite  Commentators  set  down  together  on  the  page  before  me,  and 
thereby  save  much  time  and  trouble  in  examining  each  of  them  apart.  I 
have  had  this  volume  under  examination  for  several  months,  and  for  one 
I  say  deliberately  that  the  more  I  examine  it,  the  more  I  am  convinced 
of  its  intrinsic  value  and  superior  excellence.  It  appears  evident  to  us 
that  the  able  and  truly  estimable  Editor  has  faithfully  exhibited  the 
doctrinal  sentiments  of  Henry,  Scott,  and  Doddridge.  It  would  be  ex- 
tremely difficult  to  detect  a  single  omission  of  any  real  consequence. 
And  the  labour  and  industry  of  Dr.  Jenks  in  quoting  and  culling  valu- 
able sentiments  from  such  a  host  of  writers,  is  really  astonishing.  The 
grand  and  precious  doctrines  of  the  gospel  are  carefully  exhibited  in  this 
work.  And  we  must  add,  that  we  have  not  yet  met  witii  one  sentiment 
which  the  devout  and  intelligent  Christian  who  embraces  the  doctrines 
in  the  standard  of  the  Reformed  Churches  can  with  any  show  of  justice 
find  fault  with.  Hence  it  is  a  work  of  exceedingly  great  value  to  the 
private  Christian,  and  to  the  heads  of  families. 

It  exhibits  a  most  correct  and  truly  beautiful  specimen  of  printing. 
*  *  *  Here  is  an  honest  appeal  to  every  patriot,  who  is  called  on  to  en- 
courage domestic  enterprise,  and  the  arts  and  manufactures  among  us; 
and  to  every  lover  of  the  gospel  of  Jesus,  to  patronise  the  excellent  Edi- 
tor and  enterprising  publishers,  who  are  undertaking  such  a  laborious 
work,  and  embarking  such  immense  capital  in  the  laudable  endeavour  to 
promote  evangelical  truth  and  diffuse  the  knowledge  of  our  Saviour 
throughout  the  land. 

We  conclude  by  earnestly  recommending  this  work  to  our  brethren 
and  friends.  It  is  indeed  "  a  goodly  pearl,"  which  every  devout  and 
good  man  should  seek  to  possess  in  his  family,  for  his  own  benefit  and 
that  of  his  children.  W.  C.  B.' 


The  Philadelphian.  {Edited  by  Rev.  Ezra  Sliles  Ely,  D.D.)  'The 
work  we  confidently  expect  will  be  as  valuable  as  any  two,  if  not  three, 
of  the  Commentaries  from  which  extracts  are  made,  and  all,  ice  repeat  it, 
for  fifteen  dollars.     We  like  the  plan  and  execution  of  the  work. 

'  Having  so  far  examined  the  Comprehensive  Commentary  now  in 
2 


(     14     ) 

course  of  publication  by  Fesstndcn  S^  Co.,  and  edited  by  Rev.  Dr.  Jenks, 
as  to  be  satisfied  of  its  great  advantages  over  those  of  any  otiier  work  of 
the  kind  extant; — in  addition  to  tlie  already  copious  recommendations, 
from  a  large  number  of  highly  distinguished  clergymen,  Presidents  of 
Colleores  and  other  literary  gentlemen  in  the  iSorthern  and  Middle 
States,  we  would  cheerfully  commend  the  work  to  the  Southern  com- 
munity as  one  of  great  and  permanent  value — highly  worthy  the  patron- 
age of  all — especially  heads  of  Families  and  Bible  Class  and  Sunday 
School  Teachers;  and  we  cannot  but  cherish  the  Jiope  that  it  will  be  re- 
ceived with  the  favour  and  patronage  which  its  merits  deserve,  and 
which  are  so  indispensable  to  the  arduous  and  expensive  enterprise  of 
publishing  so  extensive  and  valuable  a  work.' 

Rev.  STEPHEN  TAYLOR,  Pastor  o/2r/  Presb.  Church,  Richmond,  Va. 
Rev.  H.  KEELING,  M  Baptist   "  «'  " 

Rev.  GEO.  WOODBRIDGE,  Sector  o/C7n75/        "  "  ' 

Rev.  JAMES  B.  TAYLOR,  Pastor  o/2r/7?ap<iS<    "  " 

Rev.   A.    CONVERSE,  Erftioro/  &.  ft«/.   Telegraph,  Richmond,  Va. 
Rev.  WM.  S.  WHITE,  Gen.  Agent  of  Virginia  Tract  Society. 

From  Clergymen  in  Baltimore. 

'  I  cordially  approve  of  the  plan  and  design  of  the  Comprehensive 
Commentary,  and  of  the  execution  of  the  work,  so  far  as  a  cursory  ex- 
amination of  the  volume  published  qualifies  me  to  judge  of  it,  and  I  re- 
commend it  to  the  people  of  my  pastoral  charge  and  others,  as  a  work 
well  deserving  of  their  patronage.' 

WILLIAM  NEVINS, 
Pastor  of  the  First  Presb.   Ckh.  Baltimore. 

'  The  commentaries  intended  to  be  comprised  in  the  work  for  which  you 
propose  to  solicit  subscribers  are  too  well  known  and  too  generally  ap- 
preciated to  require  commendation.  The  plan,  as  set  forth  by  the  pros- 
pectus, is  a  very  good  one,  and  if  the  whole  execution  proves  to  be  in 
keeping  witii  the  specimen  which  you  have  sent  me  for  inspection,  the 
work  will  well  deserve,  and  I  have  no  doubt  will  receive,  the  liberal  pa- 
tronage of  the  Christian  community.'  J.  JOHNS, 

Rector  of  Christ's  Church,  Baltimore. 

'I  entirely  concur  in  the  recommendations  of  the  Comprehensive  Com- 
mentary, given  by  Drs.  Johns  and  Nevins.' 

J.  P.  K.  HENSHAW. 
Rector  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  Baltimore. 

'If  my  opinion  is  considered  of  any  value  by  any  one,  I  very  readily 
say,  that  I  should  consider  the  "Comprehensive  Commentary,"  when 
faithfully  completed  on  the  plan  laid  down  in  the  prospectus,  by  far  the 
most  valuable  work  of  the  kind  to  be  found  in  any  language,  for  the  com- 
mon reader.  Matihew  Henry  is  before  all  men  as  an  expositor,  and  Dr. 
Scott's  Practical  Observations  are  scarcely  equalled;  while  those  two, 
with  Doddridge,  are  of  ail  doctrinal  guides  the  safest  amongst  commenta- 
tors, to  say  nothing  of  others.  Such  a  work  as  the  one  proposed,  if 
fairly  executed  upon  the  basis  of  the  labours  of  these  holy,  wise,  and  I 
will  add  learned  men,  milst  be  above  price.' 

J.  R.  BRECKENRIDGE, 
astor  of  ike  York-st.  Presb.  Church,  Baltimore. 


(     15     ) 

From  Clergymen  in  Washington  City,  D.  C, 
'To  those  who  are  at  all  acquainted  will)  the  character  and  standing 
of  the  distinguished  men  who  have  recommended  this  work,  no  other 
recommendation  can  be  necessary.  The  undersigned  fully  accords 
with  them  in  their  opinion,  and  believes  that  they  have  not  rated  its 
merits  too  high.  To  Families,  Bible  Classes,  and  Sahbaih  School  Teachers, 
it  must- be  an  invaluable  help  to  the  correct  understanding  of  the  sacred 
Scriptures.  All,  indeed,  who  wish  to  have  an  excellent  Commentary  on 
the  Bible — even  the  excellencies  of  the  best  Commentaries  in  one  single 
work— will,  if  possible,  possess  themselves  of  this.  It  is  handsomely  ex- 
ecuted, and  offered  on  very  reasonable  terms.  R.  POST, 

Pastor  Isi  Pres.  Church,  Washington  City.' 
'I  cheerfully  concur  in  the  views  and  recommendationsexpressed  above. 

JAMES  LOWRIE,  D.  D. 

Pastor  F  Street  Church' 

'The  high  recommendation  given  to  the  work  above  referred  to,  by 
the  reverend  gentlemen  whose  names  are  well  known  to  the  public,  in- 
duces me  to  believe  that  it  is  entitled  to  the  approbation  and  patronage 
oT'all  who  are  desirous  of  rightly  understanding  the  Scriptures  of  Divine 
Revelation,  which  are  able  to  make  them  wise  unto  salvation. 

WILLIAM  HAWLEY, 
Rector  of  St.  John's  Chh.  Washington  City.' 

'  After  such  an  inspection  of  the  first  volume  of  this  work  as  my  time 
has  permitted  me  to  make,  in  the  space  of  three  or  four  days,  I  freely 
add  my  suffrage  to  that  of  many  others,  that  it  is  a  publication  well 
worthy  the  titld  which  it  bears.  It  is  "  a  Comprehensive  Commentary." 
Whoever  possesses  it,  will  be  able,  without  reference  to  other  books,  to 
make  himself  acquainted  with  the  leading  opinions  of  the  best  and  most 
approved  Commentators,  both  critical  and  practical,  on  the  four  Evan- 
gelist?. If  the  subsequent  volumes  shall  be  prepared  with  the  same 
care,  judiciousness  and  talent,  which  are  exhibited  in  the  one  already 
publislied — and  this  it  seems  reasonable  to  presume — the  work  will  be 
one  of  great  value  to  young  clergymen,  to  Sabbath  school  teachers,  and 
to  heads  of  families;  and,  indeed,  to  all  who  love  the  study  of  the  Bible, 
not  excepting  those  who  are  already  provided  with  other  expositions  of 
the  sacred  text.  ASHBEL  GREEN,  D.  D. 

Philadelphia,  Nov.  23,  1834.' 

National  Intelligencer,  Washington  City,  D.  C.  '  The  first  volume 
of  this  long  expected  work  is  just  published  in  royal  octavo,  in  a  very 
superior  style,  on  a  beautiful  clear  type  and  fine  paper.  The  price  of  this 
valuable  work  is  only  three  dollars  per  volume,  substantially  bound,  and 
a  clieaper  work  has  perhaps  never  issued  from  the  press.' 


(     16 

Statesman.  (^Washington,  North  Carolina.')  'We  are  confident  It  is  a 
work  of  very  great  merit,  and  for  beauty  of  its  typogra])hy  and  engra- 
vings ,surpasses  any  thing  we  have  seen  on  the  same  subject.  This  work 
is  edited  by  Dr,  Wm.  Jenks,  of  Boston,  and  professedly  combines  the 
labours  and  learning  of  those  great  lights  in  the  Christian  world,  Henry, 
Clarke,  Scott,  Lowth,  Doddridge,  Gill,  and  others,  and  will  bind  up  in 
five  volumes  of  about  800  pages  each,  in  quarto  form,  embellished  with 
superb  engravings,  at  the  astonishing  low  price  of  three  dollars  per  vo- 
lume. The  high  recommendations  of  the  work  by  distinguished  Clergy- 
men conclusively  attest  its  value.' 

The  PRESBYTEHiAif.  (Philadelphia.)  '  We  have  heard  this  work 
highly  commended  by  competent  critics.  *  *  *  The  volume  contain- 
ing the  Evangelists  has  been  submitted  to  us,  and  we  are  decidedly  of 
opinion,  that  if  the  other  volumes  are  equal  to  this  in  point  of  execution, 
it  will  be  a  work  every  way  worthy  of  patronage,  as  comprehending  for 
family  use,  a  larger  amount  of  valuable  matter  than  any  Commentary 
extant.  To  such  as  are  not  furnished,  we  would  recommend  an  ex- 
amination of  this  work,  as  containing  a  vast  fund  of  matter,  and  at  a  rea- 
sonable price,' 

Petersburg  Virginia  Constellation.  'The  price  is  lo%o,  we  think, 
for  the  splendid  manner  in  which  this  edition  of  the  sacred  writings  is 
gotten  up.' 


ENCYCLOPEDIA  OF  RELIGIOUS  KNOWLEDGE; 

OR, 

Dictionary  of  the  Bible,  Theology,  Religious  Biography,  all  Religions, 
Ecclesiastical  History,  and  Missions;  containing  Definitions  of  all 
Religious  Terms;  an  impartial  Account  of  the  principal  Christian  De- 
nominations that  have  existed  in  the  World  from  the  Birth  of  Christ 
to  the  present  Day,  with  their  Doctrines,  Religious  Rites  and  Cere- 
monies, as  well  as  those  of  the  Jews,  Mohammedans,  and  Heathen 
Nations;  together  with  the  Manners  and  Customs  of  the  East,  illus- 
trative of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  a  Description  of  the  Quadrupeds, 
Birds,  Fishes,  Reptiles,  Insects,  Trees.  Plants,  and  Minerals  men- 
tioned in  the  Bible:  a  Statement  of  the  most  Remarkable  Trans- 
actions and  Events  in  Ecclesiastical  History;  Biographifcal  Notices  of 
the  early  Martyrs  and  distinguished  Religious  Writers  and  Characters 
of  all  Ages.  To  which  is  added  a  Missionary  Gazetteer,  containing  De- 
scriptions of  the  various  Missionary  Stations  throughout  the  Globe; 
by  Rev.  B.  B.  Edwards,  Editor  of  Quarterly  Observer.  The  whole 
brought  down  to  the  present  Time,  and  embracing,  under  one  Alpha_ 
bet,  the  most  valuable  part  of  Calmet's  and  Brown's  Dictionaries  of 
the  Bible;  Buck's  Theol.  Dictionary  ;  Abbott's  Scripture  Natural  His- 
tory; Wells'  Geography  of  the  Bible ;  Jones'  Christian  Biography;  and 


(     17     ) 

numeroug  other  similar  Works.  Designed  as  a  complete  Book  of 
Reference  on  all  Religious  Subjects,  and  Companion  to  tiie  Bible*; 
forming  a  cheap  and  compact  Library  of  Religious  Knowledge.  Edited 
by  Rev.  J.  Newton  Brown.  Illustrated  by  Wood  Cuts,  Maps,  and 
Engravings  on  Copper  and  Steel. 


PUBLISHERS'  ADVERTISEMENT. 
The  present  is  an  age,  and  ours  is  a  country,  demanding  great  con- 
densation and  brevity  in  writers  who  would  secure  attention.  So  active 
and  busy  are  the  habits  of  the  mass  of  our  countrymen,  that  they  have 
neither  time  nor  patience  to  turn  and  peruse  the  pages  of  the  cumbersome 
quartos  and  folios  of  the  I7lh  century;  while  a  tolerable  competency 
would  scarcely  suffice  for  the  purchase  of  the  numerous  works  of  which 
the  modern  press  is  so  fruitful,  on  the  subjects  embraced  in  this  volume. 
The  work,  then,  combining  and  condensing  the  most  valuable  results  of 
the  researches  of  the  best  writers  on  any  subject,  while  it  will  be  most 
likely  to  be  received  with  favour,  will  at  the  same  time  be  best  calculated 
to  facilitate  the  acquisition,  and  consequently  the  diffusion  of  knowledge. 
With  these  views  the  "  Compkehensive  Commentary  on  the  Bible" 
was  projected ;  and  in  its  unprecedented  sale  has  encouraged  the  same  pub- 
lishers to  offer  to  the  public  the  present  volume.  The  subjects  embraced  in 
this  icork  are  interesting  to  all,  and  as  it  is  not  designed  to  be  in  the  least 
sectarian,  or  denominational,  it  cannot  fail  to  be  desirable  for  all,  whether 
■prof essedly  religious  or  not,  at  least  as  a  book  of  reference. 
The  following  are  some  of  the  peculiarities  of  the  plan: — 
\.  It  is  designed  to  be  a  standard  and  permanent  work;  and  here  it  is 
believed  will  be  found  collected  and  compressed  in  one  super-royal 
octavo  volume  of  upwards  of  twelve  hundred  pages,  in  a  shape  combin- 
ing convenience  and  cheapness,  and  in  a  style  blending  the  sweetness  of 
the  popular  with  the  richness  of  the  profound,  what  has  iieretofore  been 
scattered  through  more  than  forty  volumes,  and  mixed  with  much  of 
little  or  no  value.  Among  the  works,  all  the  valuable  matter  of  which 
will  be  found  in  this,  together  with  some  from  which  copious  extracts 
have  been  made,  are  the  following; — 

Biblical  Illustration. — Calmet's  Dictionary  of  the  Bible;  Brown's 
do.;  Barr's  do.;  Wells'  Scripture  Geography;  Home's  Introduction; 
Harris'  Scripture  Natural  History  ;  Abbott's  edition  of  Carpenter's  do.; 
Paxton's  Illustrations  of  Scripture;  Draper's  do  ;  Harmer's  Observations: 
Jahn's  Archaeology;  Mrs.  Sherwood's  Dictionary  of  Types  and  Emblems; 
Burdur's  Oriental  Customs;  Josephus'  Jewish  Customs;  Keith's  Evi- 
dence of  Prophecy  ;  Cogswell's  Harbinger  of  the  Millennium;  Robinson  s 
Biblical  Repository;  Crabbe's  English  Synonymes. 

Ecclesiastical  History. —  Mosheim's  History  of  the  Christian 
Church;  Milner's  do.;  Jones'  do.;  Waddington's  do.;  Neander's  do.; 
Murdock's  Elements  of  Dogmatic  History;  Lord  King's  History  of  the 
Primitive  Church;  Robinson's  History  of  13aptism;  Sismondi's  History  of 
the  Crusades  against  the  Albigenses. 

Religious  Bioguaphy. — Fox's  Lives  of  the  Martyrs;  Middleton's 
Evangelical  Biography;  Jones'  Christian  Biog.;  Davenport's  Dictionary 
of  Biography;  Universal  Biographical  Dictionarj';  Belham's  Female  Bi- 
ography; Clissold's  Last  Hours  of  Eminent  Christians;  Ivimey'e  History 

2* 


(     18     ) 

of  the  Baptists;  Benedict's  do.;  Mather's  Magnalia;  Elliot's  American  Bi- 
ography; Allen's  do.;  Memoirs  of  American  Missionaries;  Encyclopaedia 
Americana. 

Theology. — Buck's  Theological  Dictionary,  enlarged  by  Dr.  Hender- 
son; Jones'  Biblical  Cyclopedia;  Hawlier's  Biblical  Dictionary;  Watson's 
Biblical  and  Theological  Dictionary ;  Cliristian  Examiner;  Campbell's 
Dissertations;  Dwight's  Theology;  Spirit  of  the  Pilgrims;  Works  of 
Andrew  Fuller;  do.  of  Robert  Hall;  Douglas  on  the  Advancement  of  So- 
ciety in  Knowledge  and  Religion. 

Christian  Denominations. — Evans'  Sketch  of  Religious  Denomina- 
tions; Jones'  Dictionary  of  Religious  Opinions;  Hannah  Adams'  do.; 
Bobbins'  do. ;  Douglas  on  Errors  regarding  Religion ;  Benedict's  History 
of  all  Religions;  Williams'  Dictionary  of  do. ;  Ward's  Farewell  Letters; 
Edwards'  Quarterly  Register. 

Missions. — Edwards'  Missionary  Gazetteer. 

\i^ Many  articles  arc  original,  especially  those  relating  to  the  principal 
denominations  in  this  country,  as  will  be  seen  on  reference  to  the  fourth 
paragraph  below. 

2.  It  is  designed  for  a  complete  book  of  reference  on  all  religions  sub- 
jects; to  which  a  person  can  turn  when  any  thing  occurs  in  reading  or 
conversation  connected  with  Religion  which  he  does  not  understand,  or 
in  regard  to  which  he  wishes  to  refresh  his  memory,  as  he  would  to  a 
dictionary  for  the  definition  of  a  word.  Nearly  every  subject  treated  in 
the  books  which  form  the  basis  of  this,  is  touched  upon;  but  those  which 
are  of  minor  importance  are  very  brief,  and  those  of  greater  utility 
handled  more  at  length.  Articles  rarely  recurred  to  will  be  found  here; 
but  it  is  not  burdened  with  any  thing  that  is  altogether  useless. 

3.  In  Theology,  the  general  plan  of  Buck's  Dictionary  is  followed  ;  espe- 
cially in  its  evangelical  cast  and  Christian  candour,  in  its  copious  illus- 
trations of  important  topics,  and  its  valuable  references  to  the  best 
works  on  both  sides  of  the  question.  Watson,  Jones,  and  others,  how- 
ever, have  supplied  us  occasionally  with  articles  of  superior  value. 

[[j"  The  edition  of  Buck  which  has  been  use^  is  the  new  one  lately 
published  in  England,  edited  by  Professor  Henderson,  who  has  added 
nearly  five  hundred  new  articles,  which  will  be  found  incorporated  in 
this. 

4.  The  accounts  of  the  History.  Doctrines,  8^c.  of  different  denominations, 
have  been  prepared  with  an  aim  at  the  strictest  impartiality.  Where  it 
was  practicable,  some  leading  man  of  the  principal  sects  existing  in  this 
country  has  been  employed  to  prepare  the  article  relating  to  it,-  and  where 
it  has  not  been,  the  matter  has  been  drmcn  from  some  one  or  more  promi- 
nent writer  of  the  denomination,  of  acknoiclcdged  authority.  The  work 
DOES  not  aim  to  EFFECT  A  COMPROMISE  of  opiuion  among  the  different 
denominations  of  Christians,  but  to  present  the  views  of  each  fully,  and 
in  their  own  words,  leaving  the  reader  to  form  his  own  conclusions  as 
to  which  is  most  correct.  This  must  be  a  trvhi  acceptable  course  to  all  who 
can  respond  to  the  sentiment  quoted  by  Robert  Hall,  ".Amicus  Plato, 
amicus  Socrates,  sad  magis  arnica  Veritas." 

The  following  are  some  of  the  contributors  under  this  head; — 

Baptism.  Pedobctptist  Mews,  Rev.  J.  Tracy,  Editor  of  the  Boston  Re- 
corder. Baptist  Fjczos,  Rev.  J.  D.  Knowles,  Professor  in  the  Newton 
Theological  Institution. 


(     19     ) 

Baptists.  Prepared  under  the  revision  and  sanction  of  Rev.  Dr.  Sharp, 
Boston. 

Congregationalists.  Prepared  by  a  member,  and  revised  and  sanctioned 
by  Rev.  Prof.  Emerson,  of  Andover  Theological  Seminary,  and  Rev.  Dr. 
Wisner,  of  Boston. 

Christians.     Rev.  J.  V.  Himes,  Boston. 

Disciples  of  Christ,  or  Reformers.  Alexander  Campbell,  of  Bethany, 
Virginia. 

Free  Will  Baptists.  Rev.  S.  Beede,  Editor  of  the  Morning  Star, 
Dover,  N.  H. 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Rev.  S.  W.  Willson,  Editor  of  Zion's 
Herald,  Boston. 

Fresbytericms.     Rev.  Dr.  Miller,  of  Princeton  Theological  Seminary. 

Protestant  Episcopal  Church.     Rev.  Mr.  Boyle,  presbyter,  of  Boston. 

Protestant  Methodist  Church.  Rev.  T.  F.  iNorris,  President  of  the  New 
England  Conference. 

Umtaria7is.    Rev.  Prof.  Palfrey. 

Universalists.     Rev.  L.  R.  Paige. 

Universal  Restorationists.    Rev.  Paul  Dean. 

5.  To  adapt  it  to  popular  use,  all  words  in  foreign  languages  have  been 
omitted;  or  where  Hebrew,  Chaldee,  and  Greek  terms  unavoidably  oc- 
cur, they  are  given  in  English  characters. 

6.  Scripture  Biography,  ichich  occupies  a  large  space  in'most  Bible  Dic- 
tionaries, is  handled  here  in  the  briefest  manner  possible — giving  only  the 
characteristic  outlines,  except  when  difficulties  occur  which  require  to 
be  cleared  up. 

7.  In  consequence  of  the  space  thus  gained,  the  new  department  of  Re- 
ligious Biography  is  made  full  and  extensive;  embracing,  it  is  believed, 
every  distinguished  religious  writer,  preacher,  and  character,  including 
the  most  distinguished  females,  and  those  philanthropists  who  were 
actuated  by  religious  principles.  Every  denomination  will  find  here 
notices  of  its  most  illustrious  men,  especially  such  as  liave  lived  and  died 
in  this  country,  from  its  settlement  to  this  time.  To  every  notice  of  an 
author  a  list  of  his  principal  writings  (so  far  as  possible)  is  given,  with  a 
reference  to  the  best  biographies  of  the  individual. 

8.  As  a  Dictionary  and  Gazetteer  of  the  Bible,  the  work  will  be  found, 
it  is  believed,  more  copious  and  accurate  than  any  other  now  in  use, 
adapting  it  to  the  wants  of  the  Pulpit  and  of  Sabbath  Schools.  In 
the  notices  of  the  various  cities  and  countries  mentioned  in  the  Bible, 
the  fulfilment  of  the  prophecies  regarding  them,  so  far  as  developed,  are 
particularly  noticed. 

D.  The  object  of  the  Encyclopedia  being  to  do  good  on  evangelical 
principles,  the  work  preserves  throughout,  as  far  as  possible,  a  devotional 
and  practical,  as  well  as  a  critical,  picturesque,  and  popular  character, 
that  it  may  minister  to  the  heart,  no  less  than  to  the  judgment  and  the 
imagination. 

10.  Maps  and  Eng«avings,  as  well  as  Wood  Cuts,  have  been  added 
to  enrich  and  adorn,  as  well  as  illustrate,  the  work. 

On  the  whole,  the  amount  of  information  imbodied  in  this  work  is 
immense,  and  it  is  hoped  the  matter,  by  collation,  arrangement,  abridg- 
ment, and  addition,  has  been  very  greatly  improved;  and  while  it  will  be 
found  interesting  and  valuable  to  Families,  and  those  individuals  who 
only   desire   to   acquire  general   hnotcledge,  to  the  Sabbath    School 


(     20 

Teacher  and  Bible  Class  Leader  it  cannot  but  prove  an  invaluable 
treasure. 


NOTICES  AND  RECOMMENDATIONS 


ENCYCLOPAEDIA   OF   RELIGIOUS  KNOWLEDGE. 

'The  Encyclopeedia  of  Religious  Knowledge  is,  upon  the  whole,  x 
valuable  book  of  reference,  and  the  theological  articles  are,  in  the  main, 
good.  The  work  is  rich  in  biographical  notices,  and  contains  much  use- 
lul  information  respecting  the  tenets  of  different  sects,  which  in  most 
cases  is  supplied  by  their  own  writers.  Tlie  ilieological  student  will  find 
it  a  convenient  and  useful  companion.         A.  ALEXANDER,  D.  D. 

Princeton  Theological  Seminary,  JV'.  J.' 

'I  regard  the  Ency.  of  Re).  Knowledge  as  a  very  valuable  book  of  re- 
ference. While  it  is  particularly  convenient  and  useful  to  ministers  of 
the  gospel,  it  will  be  found  to  be  very  entertaining  and  instructive  to 
others,  and  is  well  worthy  of  a  place  in  every  family  library. 

B.  TYLER,  D.  D. 
Pres.  of  E.  Windsor  Theol.  Institute,  Conn.' 

'I  have  examined  the  Ency.  of  Rel.  Knowledge  in  sundry  of  its  arti- 
cles; and  holding  in  my  library  its  principal  authorities,  I  am  ready  to 
say  that  1  muck  approve  it.  We  have  no  work  which  contains,  and  judi- 
ciously contains,  so  muck  informing  matter  at  so  moderate  a  price. 

Rev.  JONATHAN  HOMER,  D.D. 

Newton,  Mass.' 

'This  volume  is  certainly  an  exception  to  the  general  style  in  which 
compends,  summaries,  and  Encys.  are  manufactured  among  us.  It 
bears  the  marks  of  care,  honest  research,  and  accurate  statement.  The 
commendable  practice  is  followed  of  giving  the  authorities  at  the  close 
of  each  article. 

It  is  not  a  bookselling  expedient,  prepared  in  the  haste  of  a  plagiary 
from  English  works;  but  in  part  original,  and  in  part  condensed,  and  ac- 
commodated to  suit  the  general  intention  of  the  volume.  The  depart- 
ment of  religious  biography  is  very  complete ;—  a  field  of  labour  in  which 
the  American  Encyclopedia  is  notoriously  deficient.  Candour  and  good 
judgment  are  here  manifested. 

On  the  whole,  we  lieartily  commend  this  publication  to  our  readers. 
It  will  repay  many  fold  the  cost  of  its  purchase.  So  single  volume  in 
the  language,  so  far  as  zee  knoic,  contains  a  larger  amount  of  valu- 
able knowledge.'      [Biblical  Repository  and  Quarterly  Observer. 

'  We  are  confident  that  this  must  be  a  valuable  acquisition  to  any 
man's  library;  and  one  who  expects  to  purchase  and  use  much  literature 
of  this  sort,  we  are  equally  confident,  will  save  both  money  and  time  by 
subscribinnr  for  this. 

We  have  Encys.  in  other  departments  of  science;  but  we  do  not 
know  that  any  thing  in  the  form  of  a  Religious  Ency.  has  ever  been 
published  in  this,  or  any  other  country.  A  work  of  this  kind  has  there- 
fore been  a  great  desideratum  in  tlie  religious  and  reading  community. 


(  21  ) 

So  Far  as  we  have  examined  it — and  we  have  devoted  some  time  and 
care  to  the  subject — the  book  fulfils  the  large  promise  of  the  title  quite 
as  well  as  could  reasonably  be  expected.  It  is  a  vast  storehouse  of  in- 
formation— all  the  subjects  indicated,  judiciously  selected — condensed, 
perspicuous,  and  well  arranged;  and,  what  is  of  great  importance,  with 
references,  at  the  end  of  the  more  important  articles,  to  works  from 
which  more  particular  information  may  be  obtained.  The  work  is  hand- 
somely printed,  on  good  paper;  the  type  is  clean  and  fair, and  sufficient- 
ly large.  On  the  whole,  it  is  entirely  beyond  any  thing  else  extant  as  a 
convenient  book  of  reference  for  clergymen,  teachers  of  Bible  classes 
and  Sabbath  schools,  and  all,  in  fact,  who  wish  for  any  book  of  reference 
of  the  kind  to  assist  them  in  their  biblical  and  religious  reading.  It  is 
marvellously  cheap.  We  recommend  it  confidently.  It  will  not  disap- 
point any  reasonable  expectations.'  [Vt.  Chronicle. 

'A  very  useful  work,  1300  imp.  8vo.  pages.  Its  usefulness  in  the  fa- 
mily, in  reading  religious  intelligence  and  other  publications,  and  in 
writing  on  religious  subjects,  is  obvious.  The  price,  for  so  large  a  vo- 
lume, prepared  with  so  much  labour,  must  be  acknowledged  very  rea- 
sonable— cheap.'  [JV.  Y.  Evangelist. 

'The  editorial  execution  altogether  surpasses  my  expectations,  and  I 
am  persuaded  the  work  will  be  extensively  popular. 

Rev.  GEO.  BUSH. 
Prof,  of  Ori.  Lit.  in  JV.  Y.  City  University.' 

'Its  plan  is  very  comprehensive,  and  embraces  a  variety  of  informa- 
tion respecting  the  state  of  religion  throughout  the  world,  which  cannot 
be  obtained  except  by  recourse  to  a  great  number  of  original  sources. 

In  regard  to  the  different  denominations  in  our  own  coointry,  it  is  ne- 
cessary only  to  recur  to  the  names  of  the  gentlemen  who  furnish  the  ac- 
counts of  them,  to  obtain  full  confidence  in  the  fidelity  with  which  those 
accounts  may  be  expected  to  be  composed.'—  Boston  Christian  Register. 

This  work  contains  in  itself  a  religious  library;  and  as  such  we 
consider  it  one  of  great  value  to  the  Christian  public. 

The  plan  of  it  is  happily  adapted  to  make  it  a  book  of  reference,  a  con- 
venient substitute,  and  more  than  a  substitute  for  many  volumes  which 
Christian  readers  have  heretofore  had  occasion  to  consult.  And  from 
an  examination  of  a  large  number  of  articles,  the  plan  appears  to  have 
been  vrell  executed.  Many  of  the  original  articles  are  ably  written. 
Those  condensed  from  other  works  were  evidently  prepared  with  great 
care  and  attention,  and  show  the  result  of  extensive  reading  and  pa- 
tient research. 

Its  cheapness  stronglj'  commends  it  to  public  favour.' 

[Southern  Rcl.  Telegraph,  Richmond,  Va. 

'The  Encyclopmdia  of  Religious  Knowledge  is  deservedly  having  a  large 
sale.'  [Boston  Recorder. 

'  Though  it  is  a  large  volume,  yet  in  view  of  its  variety  and  compre- 
hensiveness, it  is  mulfuni  in  parro, — much  in  a  small  space, — an  ocean 
of  matter  in  a  drop  of  words.  The  work  has  been  compiled  with  im- 
mense labour,  with  great  accuracy  and  uncommon  impartiality.  Mr. 
Brown  has  performed  his  difficult  and  delicate  task  in  a  judicious  man- 
ner— in  a  manner  to  highly  promote  the  public  benefit,  and  to  entitle  him 


•      (     22     ) 

to  the  approbation  and  gratitude  of  the  community.  We  are  happy  to 
add,  that  the  work  has  been  got  up  in  a  handsome  style,  and  in  good 
taste.  We  should  sincerely  hope,  that  the  cause  of  trutli  and  the  inte- 
rest of  the  religious  public  may  be  promoted  by  its  extensive  circula- 
tion. It  should  be  a  companion  to  the  Bible  in  every  family;  it  should 
find  a  place  in  the  library  of  every  Sunday  school  teacher;  and  we  ven- 
ture little  in  saying  that,  as  a  v/ork  of  reference,  the  minister  of  the  gos- 
pel would  find  it  convenient  and  useful.' — Jlmerican  Baptist  {JW  Y.) 

'  The  object  of  the  work  is  to  condense  into  one  vglume  the  most  im- 
portant matter  now  scattered  throughout  many  expensive  publications. 
The  compiler  appears  to  have  executed  his  task  with  commendable  dili- 
gence and  good  judgment.  It  requires  more  than  ordinary  wisdom,  in 
compiling  such  a  work,  lo  determine  what  to  reject  and  what  to  retain. 
As  far  as  we  have  been  able  to  examine  the  work,  we  think  the  author 
deserves  the  credit  of  a  faithful  and  judicious  compiler. —  We  deem  the 
work  worthy  of  extensive  patronage.  It  is  well  executed,  on  good  paper, 
and  illustrated  with  engravings  and  wood  cuts;  and  we  hope  the  enter- 
prising publishers  will  be  well  repaid  for  their  expenditure  on  this  praise- 
worthy and  expensive  work.'  [Richmond  Rel.  Herald. 

'The  general  execution  of  the  work  is  decidedly  good.  We  recom- 
mend it  for  its  general  excellence,  as  a  most  useful  book  of  reference,  to 
families  which  desire  information  on  religious  subjects.' 

[Presbyterian  {Philadelphia.) 

'This  work  is  emphatically  what  its  title  imports,  a  repository  of  every 
description  of  religious  knowledge,  alphabetically  arranged,  for  easy  and 
familiar  reference.  It  seems  to  embrace  just  that  kind  of  knowledge 
which  the  ministers  of  ihe  gospel,  and  the  curious  and  enlightened 
Christian  of  every  denomination,  requires,  relative  to  the  Bible,  theology, 
religious  biography,  ecclesiastical  history,  missions  and  all  religions. 
The  amount  of  matter  embraced  in  about  1300  large  octavo  pages  on 
these  subjects  is  incalculable — enough,  we  should  think,  to  fill  15  or  20 
volumes  of  the  Family  Library.  We  consider  it,  in  fact,  if  not  the  only, 
the  most  recent,  comprehensive,  illustrative,  and  trustworthy  work  of 
reference  on  all  denominational  points,  and  topics  adverted  to  above, 
extant.  It  is  designed  as  a  complete  book  of  reference  on  all  religious 
subjects,  and  companion  to  the  Bible,  forming  a  compact  library  of  reli- 
gious knowledge:  and  when  its  excellence  is  fully  known,  it  will,  we 
doubt  not,  find  a  place  in  almost  every  Christian  family.' 

[J\\  Y.  Weekly  Messenger. 

'  We  have  recently  procured  a  copy  of  this  excellent  work ; — it  is  just 
such  a  work  as  the  religious  public  have  long  needed.  It  fills  a  place 
that  is  not  occupied  by  any  other  icork  in  the  English  language.  We 
wish  one  could  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  every  minister  of  the  gospel 
throughout  our  country.  This  one  volume  would  be  to  him  a  valuable 
library  of  religious  knowledge;  he  might  accumulate  a  great  variety  of 
books  before  he  could  otherwise  obtain  the  information  which  he  needs 
upon  various  points,  and  which  would  be  directly  available  in  the  great 
work  in  which  he  is  engaged.  Here  he  has  a  condensed,  but  accurate 
and  satisfactory  view  of  the  religious  customs  and  sentiments  of  the  dif- 
ferent denominations  of  Christians;  and,  notwithstanding  their  number 
and  diversity,  he  can  in  this  volume  hear  them  nearly  all  speak  their 
own  language  and  assign  tiieir  own  reasons. 


(     23     ) 

But  besides  information  witli  regard  to  different  religions,  and  the  dif- 
ferent denominations  of  the  Christian  religion,  the  minister  of  Christ 
may  here  find  a  distinct  and  evangelical  statement  of  the  great  leading 
doctrines  of  the  Scriptures;  which  will  be  no  small  advantage  to  any 
who  may  have  had  to  enter  upon  the  ministry  with  but  little  prepara- 
tion. 

On  the  same  account,  this  work  recommends  itself  as  a  most  impor- 
tant help  to  every  Bible  class  and  Sabbath  school  teacher.  Indeed, 
every  head  of  a  family,  who  wishes  to  acquire  and  impart  to  his  children 
correct  and  enlightened  views  upon  religious  subjects  in  general,  sliould 
have  in  his  library  this  Encycl.opoedia.  Were  this  generally  the  case,  we 
might  soon  expect  to  see  a  higher  degree  of  religious  knowledge  in  cir- 
culation, and  fewer  misconceptions  and  misrepresentations  respecting 
the  sentiments  of  different  religious  denominations.' 

[Zion'n  Jidvocaie  {Portland.) 

'Few  works  of  more  value  can  be  named,  even  in  this  time  of  con- 
densinor  books.  For  theological  students  as  a  book  of  reference,  and  as 
a  family  book  for  youths,  to  which  they  may  devote  their  evenings,  and 
imbibe  correct  information  upon  the  almost  boundless  field  of  survey 
which  is  connected  with  the  moral  and  religious  condition  of  mankind, 
it  is  unequalled  in  variety  and  amplitude  of  knowledge.  We  have  ex- 
tensively searched  the  articles  of  which  it  is  composed;  and  can  attest 
to  the  general  fidelity  with  which  the  work  has  been  compiled.  We 
have  ascertained  that  the  Ency.  of  Rel.  Knowledge  comprehends  the 
substance  of  FIFTY  valuable  works;  all  of  which  formerly  were  consi- 
dered necessary  to  the  library  not  only  of  a  scholar,  but  also  of  all  Chris- 
tians who  were  anxious  to  obtain  accurate  and  enlarged  information  of 
scriptural  truth  and  ecclesiastical  history.  We  can  conceive  of  nothing 
more  beneficial  to  the  American  churches  than  this  laborious  and  grand 
scheme  for  the  diffusion  of  religious  knowledge. 

[JV".  Y.  Protestant  Vindicator. 

{From  the  Literary  and  Theological  Revieio,  {New  York,)  edited  by  Rev. 
Leonard  Woods,  Jr.) 
'It  is  enough  to  say  in  commendation  of  it,  that  it  fulfils  the  promise 
set  forth  in  its  long,  descriptive,  comprehensive  title.  The  original  arti- 
cles contained  in  it  are  numerous,  and  of  great  value.  The  mechanical 
execution  is  excellent,  and  the  whole  constitutes,  we  have  no  doubt,  the 
completes!  and  most  valuable  book  of  reference,  adapted  to  the  use  of 
families,  Sunday  school  teachers,  and  ministers  of  the  gospel,  that  has 
ever  been  prepared  and  published  in  this  country.' 

{From  the  New  York  Observer.) 

'  This  volume  is  on  a  plan  which  we  believe  to  be  original,  and  which 
cannot  fail,  if  its  execution  be  judicious  and  faithful,  to  secure  to  the 
work  extensive  popularity  and  usefulness.  So  far  as  we  have  examined 
the  articles  in  the  work,  with  a  few  exceptions  we  think  favourably  of 
the  skill,  judgment  and  fidelity  with  which  it  has  been  executed.  The 
names  of  several  of  the  original  contributors  are  sufficient  to  warrant  the 
highest  expectations  concerning  the  articles  which  they  have  prepared,' 


(     24     ) 
LIPPINCOTT'S  EDITION 

OF 

THE    OXFORD   QUARTO   BIBLE. 

The  publishers  have  spared  neither  care  nor  expense  in  their  edition 
of  the  Bible,  it  is  printed  on  the  finest  white  vellum  paper  with  large  and 
beautiful  type,  and  bound  in  the  most  substanial  and  splendid  manner, 
in  the  following  styles: — Velvet,  with  richlyt  gilt  ornaments;  Turkey, 
super  extra,  with  gilt  clasps,  and  in  numerous  others  to  suit  the  taste  of 
the  most  fastidious. 

Opinions  of  the  Press. 

"  In  our  opinion,  the  Christian  public  generally  will  feel  under  great 
obligations  to  the  publishers  of  this  work,  for  the  beautiful  taste,  arrange- 
ment, and  delicate  neatness  with  which  they  have  got  it  out.  The  in- 
trinsic merit  of  the  Bible  recommends  itself.  It  needs  no  tinsel  orna- 
ment to  adorn  its  sacred  pages.  In  this  edition  every  superfluous  ap- 
pendage has  been  avoided,  and  we  have  presented  us,  a  perfectly  chaste, 
specimen  of  the  Bible  without  note  or  comment.  It  appears  to  be  just 
what  is  needed  in  eyery  family,  '  the  uksophisticated  word  of  God.' 

"The  size  is  quarto,  printed  with  beautiful  type, on  white  sized  vellum 
paper  of  the  finest  texture,  and  most  beautiful  surface. 

"The  publishers  seem  to  have  been  solicitous  to  make  a  perfectly 
unique  book,  and  they  have  accomplished  the  object  very  successfully, 
We  trust  that  a  liberal  community  will  afford  them  ample  remuneration 
for  all  the  expense  and  outlay  they  have  necessarily  incurred  in  its  pub- 
lication.    It  is  a  standard  Bible. 

"The  publishers  are  Messrs.  J.  B.  Lippincott  &  Co.,  corner  of  4th  and 
Race  Streets,  Philadelphia." — Bapt.  Record. 

"  A  beautiful  quarto  edition  of  the  Bible,  by  J.  B.  Lippincott  &  Co. 
Nothing  can  exceed  the  type  in  clearness  and  beauty;  the  paper  is  of 
the  finest  texture;  and  the  whole  execution  is  exceedingly  neat.  No 
illustrations  or  ornamental  type  are  used.  Those  who  prefer  a  Bible 
executed  in  perfect  simplicity,  yet  elegance  of  style,  without  adornment, 
will  probably  never  find  one  more  to  their  taste." — M.  Magazine. 


THE   COMPANION   TO  THE   BIBLE, 

Designed  to  accompany  the  Family  Bible,  or  Henry's,  Scott's,  Clarke's, 
Gill's,  or  other  commentaries. 

11.  Jl  new,  full,  and  complete  concordance;  illustrated  with  monumental, 
traditional,  and  oriental  engravings,  founded  on  Butterworth's,  with 
Cruden's  definitions;  forming,  it  is  believed,  on  many  accounts,  a  more 
valuable  work  than  either  Buttervvorth,  Cruden,  or  any  other  similar 
book  in  the  language. 

The  value  of  a  concordance  is  now  generally  understood,  and  those 
who  have  used  one,  consider  it  indispensable  in  connexion  with  the 
Bible. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

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